Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract with Arsenal that will keep him at the club until 2030. The agreement comes with Arsenal as Premier League champions, and the Spaniard said the new deal represents “only the beginning” of what the club can achieve together. His previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season, meaning his time in charge could now stretch to a decade after he arrived in December 2019.
An agreement on an improved contract had been reported earlier this month. The new terms include an increase on his current salary of £10m per year plus an additional £5m in bonuses. Arteta’s worth had been benchmarked against Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, who is reportedly paid over £20m per year, and former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who was reportedly paid a similar amount. The 44-year-old had been transparent about his desire to remain at Arsenal beyond the end of the campaign.
Arteta said: “This club is unique, its character and the way it makes you feel, and I have a great sense of privilege that our journey together will continue. We have already built a special bond and created memories that will last a lifetime, and what is so exciting is that this is only the beginning of what we can achieve together.”
Since taking over, Arteta has won a Premier League title and the FA Cup at Arsenal. Last season, Arsenal won their first Premier League crown in 20 years, a success viewed as just the start of what he wants to build. In May, Arteta’s side also came within a penalty kick of winning their first Champions League trophy, losing the final against Paris St-Germain, a defeat described as gut-wrenching but also a major motivation.
Arsenal co-chairmen Stan and Josh Kroenke said: “We share a special bond with Mikel. We are so proud of everything we have achieved since he returned to the club in 2019. He has a deep understanding of Arsenal’s values and carries them in his heart. He knows what this club means to everyone connected to it and is committed to building on everything we have achieved together.”
The deal keeps in place the foundation of Arsenal’s recent revitalisation into a footballing force. Arteta has been driven by a desire to build a dynasty, and there was never a sense he was preparing to walk away from the team he has shaped into one of the best in European football. With his future now settled, the question is whether more history beckons.