Arsenal on the verge of their most important deal in over a decade

Updated: 14 Sept 2026 17:54 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Make us your Google favourite

Arsenal are edging closer to finalising a contract extension agreement with Mikel Arteta, with the 44-year-old now on the verge of putting pen to paper on a lucrative new deal.

Article continues under the video

The Spaniard’s current contract is due to expire at the end of the 2026-27 season, but talks over fresh terms have been ongoing for several weeks and widespread reports insist that a deal will be struck.

Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Arsenal are advancing in talks over a contract extension with Arteta’s camp and an agreement is viewed as a “top priority” by the Gunners hierarchy.

Arteta himself eased any concerns amongst the Arsenal fanbase in August, admitting: “They [the fans] don't have to worry about any of that because I want to be here, I'm extremely happy and I feel very grateful to work with the people I work with," said Arteta about his contract talks.

“When we have the possibility, we will resolve that. That's it. Everybody feels comfortable that the timing of the contract is not going to be an issue because my will certainly is to be here and I'm very happy here.

“My feeling from the club is the same one. That's why everyone is doing things in a very organic way.”

Arsenal are also in contract extension talks with Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber, and all four deals are likely to be officially announced by the club before Christmas. An agreement with Arteta is by far the most important, though.

Why new Mikel Arteta deal is so important

Over the last 10 years, Arsenal have made a number of eye-catching signings and they have certainly been the standout Premier League club in the transfer market since the hiring of Andrea Berta as their new sporting director.

The likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Riccardo Calafiori, David Raya, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard have all been inspired signings, while the club successfully bolstered their squad with the impressive additions of Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Christos Tzolis over the summer.

Tying Arteta down to a new deal, however, would be Arsenal’s best deal in over a decade.

The Spaniard has his critics - most of whom dislike his style of play - but there is no doubting the fact that he is a truly elite coach.

With Pep Guardiola departing Manchester City, Arteta is clearly the best manager in the Premier League and there is scope to suggest that no other coach in Europe, other than Luis Enrique, can match his ability either.

He has created a world-class squad, with many players vastly improving thanks to his coaching, and while his rogue ideas off the pitch are unusual - such as hiring a pickpocket or deliberately disrupting Arsenal’s pre-season schedule - he has settled on a method that works.

Arsenal are the team to beat in England and they currently boast every quality that a title-winning squad must have: a strong defence, a masterful understanding of the dark arts and an in-form attack.

Dislike Arteta all you want, but he is the gold standard of managers in the Premier League and Arsenal would be an entirely different proposition without him. Agreeing a new contract is therefore an absolute necessity.