Arsenal confirm Mikel Arteta contract extension in huge North London derby boost

The Spaniard's previous terms were due to expire at the end of the current campaign, and he had reportedly attracted interest from both Manchester City and Barcelona thanks to his work in North London.

However, Arteta confirmed that contract talks with the club were scheduled for when the summer transfer window closed, and there was no concern about the prospect of the 42-year-old leaving the club in the near future.

Following reports on Thursday morning that Arteta had agreed a three-year extension to his terms, Arsenal confirmed their manager's renewal a few hours later, and the Spaniard paid tribute to the club's supporters for "emotionally" transforming the team during his reign so far.

"I feel extremely proud, very excited and am looking forward to what is coming next. I'm proud to be where I am and have the relationships that I have with everyone at the club," Arteta told the official Arsenal website.

Arteta: 'I am extremely lucky to work for Arsenal'

"I feel extremely lucky to work every single day with good people and the ambition we have here. I feel very inspired, I feel challenged, I feel supported and I want to do much more than what we've already done together.

"Together with the players and everyone at the club, we are looking forward to the coming years, with our supporters, who have emotionally transformed the club and the team.

"Our supporters have transformed individuals and we are different now. You can tell that we are different and for me, that is down to them. We look forward to continuing the journey together."

Arteta took over at Arsenal in December 2019 following the exit of Unai Emery and won the FA Cup and Community Shield within his first year of joining, but he faced early sack calls during the behind-closed-doors era as the Gunners dropped out of Europe for the 2021-22 season.

However, the Arsenal hierarchy persisted with the Spaniard and quickly reaped the rewards, as he led them back into the Champions League with a second-placed Premier League finish in 2022-23 before the Gunners pushed Manchester City all the way once again last season.

Josh Kroenke, Edu react to Arteta's new Arsenal contract

The 2023-24 campaign saw Arsenal set a new club record for wins (28) and goals (91) in a Premier League season, and Arteta has snubbed reported interest from Barcelona and Manchester City to pen fresh terms.

"We are really happy that Mikel has signed a new long-term contract. It's a very positive and proud moment for everyone at the club and an important part of what we're all working towards," sporting director Edu added.

"Mikel has shown his qualities since the very first day he joined us, not only as a football manager, but as a person with wonderful values. We have a strong belief in what we are doing and what we want to achieve together. Mikel's new contract gives us stability and clear direction as we aim for new heights."

Meanwhile, co-chair Josh Kroenke said: "We're delighted to have extended Mikel's contract. Mikel is a dynamic and passionate manager, who is relentless in the pursuit of excellence. He has a deep understanding of Arsenal's values, and since joining us as Head Coach in December 2019, he has taken the team to another level in an Arsenal way.

"There is a great collective team spirit at the club, and with the strong relationships we hold between us and belief in what we do, we look forward with excitement and confidence, as we continue our aim - to win together."

Arteta's contract signing comes just three days before Arsenal travel to Tottenham Hotspur for the first North London derby of the season, and the Gunners have repeated a trick from September 2023, when Martin Odegaard extended his deal in the build-up to a clash with Spurs.