Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that he will open discussions with the club regarding a contract extension once the summer transfer window closes next week. Arteta, whose current contract with the Gunners runs out at the end of this season, is eager to commit his future to the North London club.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Saturday, the 42-year-old Spaniard indicated that negotiations about his future would be prioritized after the club wraps up its transfer business.
“The focus has been on the transfer window,” Arteta told reporters on Friday. “We had quite a lot of things to do and discuss. We are on it, and we will take care of that at the right moment.” When asked if contract talks would commence after the window shuts, Arteta confirmed: “Yeah.”
Mikel Arteta expressed his gratitude for his current role and the people he works with at Arsenal, highlighting the unity and shared vision within the club.
“I am very grateful, first of all, for where I’m sitting and the people I work with every single day because it’s really difficult to find that harmony, trust, belief, and alignment in the vision,” Arteta said. “It’s something I always mention because I believe we still have an unbelievable time ahead of us. It’s very exciting, and I am very excited about it.”
For now, Arteta is concentrating on strengthening Arsenal’s squad before turning his attention to his contract situation. However, he remained tight-lipped about reports linking the Gunners with a £32 million ($41 million) move for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, who recently helped Spain win Euro 2024.
“I cannot talk about any player that’s not with us,” Mikel Arteta said. “There’s still time in the market. Both ways. For all the managers, for all the teams here. You can see it’s getting very busy. The full focus is on the players that we have at the moment, the big match we have at Aston Villa, and that’s all.”
With the transfer window set to close on August 30, Arteta is prepared for any last-minute surprises. Despite speculation linking striker Eddie Nketiah with a move to Nottingham Forest, Arteta confirmed the young forward would be available for the upcoming match against Aston Villa.
“I expect Eddie to train with us today. To be prepared for tomorrow. That’s it. Whatever happens will happen if it’s good for everybody,” Arteta stated.
In addition to Nketiah, rumours are circulating about a possible move for Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling, who was left out of the club’s opening Premier League game against Manchester City and omitted from England’s Euro 2024 squad. Arteta, who worked with Sterling during his time as assistant manager at Manchester City, spoke highly of the 29-year-old winger.
“I can talk about my time with Raheem. It was exceptional. We built a really strong relationship together,” Arteta said. “He was unbelievable at the time we were together, and he taught me a lot as well. About individuals, how they play, and how we give them support and help them. He’s someone I have a really strong feeling about.”
As the transfer window draws to a close, Mikel Arteta’s focus remains firmly on immediate challenges, both on and off the pitch, as he looks to guide Arsenal to a successful season while securing his own future at the club.
