Mikel Arteta signs new Arsenal contract to 2030

WHAT HAPPENED
Arsenal have confirmed Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract that runs until 2030. The Spaniard’s previous deal was due to expire at the end of this season, and the extension potentially stretches his time in charge to around a decade following his arrival in December 2019.

KEY CONTEXT
The new agreement includes an increase from Arteta’s current salary of £10m per year plus an additional £5m in bonuses. BBC Sport had reported earlier that an improved contract had been agreed. Reports cited in the source article also note that Arteta benchmarked his worth against managers such as Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone and former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who have been linked to higher reported pay levels.

Arteta has overseen Arsenal’s recent revival: the 44-year-old has won the Premier League and the FA Cup while in charge and took the club to the Champions League final in May, where they lost to Paris St-Germain.

WHY IT MATTERS
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." He added that "this is only the beginning of what we can achieve together." Co-chairmen Stan and Josh Kroenke emphasised the club’s satisfaction with Arteta, saying: "We share a special bond with Mikel. We are so proud of everything we have achieved since he returned to the club in 2019." The club described the extension as securing the foundation of Arsenal’s recent revitalisation.