English Premier League
Arteta confident of Arsenal stay despite contract talks delay
Mikel Arteta has reassured Arsenal supporters that he wants to remain as manager, despite entering the final year of his contract with the club.
The Spaniard’s current agreement expires at the end of the season, and it had been expected that a new deal would already have been agreed. However, all parties decided to prioritise the summer transfer window before turning their attention to the manager’s future.
Arteta, who is 44, joined Arsenal in December 2019. His tenure has coincided with a period of sustained progress, which continued last season when the club won the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Arsenal’s owners, want to retain the manager, whose future has remained a subject of interest as the new campaign approaches.
Speaking before Sunday’s Community Shield meeting with Manchester City in Cardiff, Arteta said there was no reason for supporters to be concerned about the delay.
“There is no need for them to worry about any of that, because I want to be here. I am extremely happy. I feel very grateful to be working with the people I work with, and when we have the opportunity, we will resolve this. That is all,” he told ESPN, in comments highlighted by the broadcaster.
Arteta added that the contract discussions had not been ignored, but had simply taken a lower priority while Arsenal concentrated on their summer business.
“There is always another priority, I think! And that is the way we have dealt with it. I think everyone feels comfortable that the length of the contract is not going to be an issue,” he said.
The manager again stressed that his intention was to continue at Arsenal and said his feelings towards the club had not changed.
“I think my desire is definitely to be here, and I am extremely happy here. My feeling towards the club is the same. That is why everyone is dealing with things in a very natural way,” Arteta said.
The timing of any new agreement has therefore been allowed to wait while Arsenal focus on the summer transfer period. Arteta’s comments, however, indicate that he remains fully committed to the club despite the absence of a completed extension.
Arsenal will face Manchester City in the Community Shield in Cardiff on Sunday, with Arteta still in the final season of his existing contract. No formal renewal has yet been announced, but the manager’s public position is that he is happy at Arsenal and wants to stay.
