Arteta is currently in the final 12 months of his deal in north London having joined the Gunners from Manchester City at the end of 2019. Now approaching five years in charge, the Spaniard is close to signing a new deal.
football.london understands Arteta has agreed a three-year deal with Arsenal with both parties keen to "eliminate any uncertainty" about his future. Arteta is the latest key profile to commit his future to the club after a number of players penned new deals in the last few years.
Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba have all signed contract extensions as signs of the club's intent to break into the elite bracket of the game. Beyond them, there are a number of players who could be the next to commit their future and help continue Arteta's rebuild in north London.
Here, football.london writers have picked out what the next key decision for Arsenal should look to get done after securing Arteta for another three years.
Josh Holland
Arsenal have done superbly well in improving Arteta's squad in a timely manner in recent years. After the double signing of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko in 2022, Declan Rice significantly bolstered the midfield for a club-record fee in 2023 and Riccardo Calafiori added another option in defence.
The summer transfer window hadn't even closed and the priority for 2024 was clear as day. After not signing a new striker, much has been made of the Gunners' need for someone to lead the line.
Arteta's new deal means the Spaniard is here to stay meaning he could be in charge for eight years. Arsenal are in a good place to win the Premier League title this season, but if they don't, more pressure will be placed on getting a new number nine through the door.
Who that player is, I have no clue. But the next task has to be improving the options at centre-forward.
Amie Wilson
A new contract for Mikel Arteta is brilliant news for Arsenal with the club and the team going strength to strength under his guidance. While there were no worries that he was going anywhere, eliminating that possibility over adds extra stability to the club.
For Arsenal, their attention should now turn to making decisions over the future of two players who are out of contract in less than a year. Both Jorginho and Thomas Partey’s deals run out next summer, meaning that they could sign a pre-contract to join a new club on a free transfer as early as January.
The signing of Mikel Merino in the summer window means that they are both probably now not first choice in Mikel Arteta’s side. But, given the situation the team finds itself in for the north London Derby with injuries and suspensions in the middle of the park, it shows the value of having strength in depth in the squad.
Clubs have already been linked with an interest in Partey. Arsenal now must decide if they ae willing to offer him and/or Jorginho a new contract, if they are open to allowing them to leave for nothing next summer, or if they are to try and cash in when the January window opens.
Tom Coley
Sticking with the contract theme, Arsenal have two pressing matters coming up. In just three months they will be exposed to both Partey and Jorginho receiving offers from clubs across Europe and potential pre-contract negotiations.
To lose the pair on a free would not only significantly reduce Arteta's options in midfield and require major summer surgery next season to make up for it, but it would not be financially wise either. Neither player has to be in the main plans for Arteta but tying them down to a short-term extension would certainly be wise.
Elsewhere, and once more looking towards January, Arsenal could do with finding more midfield cover regardless, and also look light up front. This needs to be addressed if Arsenal are to put themselves in good stead to compete across a number of competitions.
Going for Arteta first was wise, and this will now not drag on throughout the season, but Arsenal still have work to do to get the rest of the ship in order. There's no need to panic, but there is a need to act.
Kieran King
Arsenal have got to make a decision on the futures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey. Both are out of contract next summer and can secure a pre-contract agreement with a non-British club in January. If that was to happen, they would leave for free. The same applies if they run out their deals.
Jorginho joined the Gunners from Chelsea for £12million in January 2023 and has since been in and out of the XI under Mikel Arteta. Last season, the Italian started 10 Premier League matches and often played in the domestic cup and some Champions League games. Although he is set to turn 33 in December, Jorginho's best days might be behind him but his experience and knowhow in the dressing room is invaluable. For me, I would keep him on board for at least another season.
As for Partey, he has started in each of Arsenal's first three games this season after struggling for injuries throughout the majority of last term. It's looking like he will keep his place for the foreseeable with Mikel Merino, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard out, but I wouldn't keep him following the end of his contract. I feel that Arsenal need to upgrade in that area and would Partey be happy playing second fiddle behind someone younger with better potential? I am not so sure.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Jack Flintham
It can't be underestimated how important securing Arteta's future at the Emirates Stadium is for Arsenal. Now they have managed to do that, the priority for me has to be a centre-forward.
Currently, the Gunners are looking strong in their squad but it feels like they need a proven goalscorer to lead the line. Viktor Gyokeres looks like the most appealing signing for that role but Arteta will need to brace himself for a challenge from other clubs.
If Arsenal can add a proven goalscorer to their squad, you have to fancy them to push Manchester City all the way. Whether that addition can be added in January though remains to be seen.
Kieran Horn
The next major Arsenal decision will likely define the next five years at the very least. Fresh off Mikel Arteta signing a new contract, attention will likely turn back onto transfers with three key positions needing reinforcement.
A striker signing has been mooted for some time with Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko among the names linked. A unique attacking addition was also looked at this past summer with Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala and Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao emerging as two targets.
Further back, a young defensive midfield signing has also become a priority. Strengthening in all of those positions will likely be completed over time, but I think it should be a marquee attacking signing made next and a versatile one at that.
Whether that be Musiala, Williams or someone else, Arsenal need a dynamic option that can take them to the next level.
Matthew Abbott
Signing a striker is the much-discussed next move for Arsenal, but adding a defensive midfielder in 2025 now appears even more pressing. Aside from their current injuries in central areas, replacing Jorginho and Thomas Partey (even if they follow Mikel Arteta in renewing their contracts over the next ten months) should be the priority.
Both are the eldest outfield players in the squad at 32 and 31, respectively, with only Neto older. And despite playing all three games this season, Partey started just nine Premier League matches last season because of hamstring and groin injuries. Martin Zubimendi seemed the man Arsenal wanted earlier this month, but as the player's subsequent transfer saga with Liverpool showed, signing the Real Sociedad midfielder will not be straightforward.
Joao Neves was also mentioned but has since joined Paris Saint-Germain, and Bruno Guimaraes would be a costly alternative from Newcastle United. There is no obvious option for the Gunners to go for, but ideally, recruiting in the January transfer window would inform decisions on the futures of Jorginho and Partey.
game is about, but under Arteta, a different animal could be unleashed.
0 Comments