Mikel Arteta has explained the delay in regards to his contract talks, while assuring Arsenal fans that he is still “excited” about what is to come during his time at the club.
The Spaniard is into the last year of his current deal, which was signed in 2022 and expires in June 2025, and has fielded questions about his future since the backend of last season.
“The focus has been on the transfer window,” he said “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.”
Arteta then agreed that “the right moment” would be once the transfer window is closed.
Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle to sign Spain international Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, while they are also nearing an agreement for the sale of Eddie Nketiah to Nottingham Forest.
Asked if he would turn his attention to contract talks in September, immediately after the transfer window closes on August 30, Arteta joked: “I didn’t say next month.”
Pushed on whether he is excited for the years to come at Arsenal after the progress made in his near-five years in charge, he added: “I am. 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.
“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.”
Arteta is now the fifth longest-serving manager across the Premier League and Football League at four years at 244 days. He ranks third in the Premier League (behind Pep Guardiola and Thomas Frank) after Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool this summer.
On whether the longevity of those managers is a target for him, he said: “I see today and tomorrow. That is the reality as managers and we have to live with that urgency.
“Looking two-three years down the line, you have to plan because what happens to the club afterwards depends on how good the results we get are – that’s it. That’s the reality. In the meantime, do your best and enjoy it if you can.”
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