Manager Josh Kroenke has declared securing Mikel Arteta to sign a new contract to be his top priority. Arsenal co-chairman Kroenke insists Arteta will continue to fully contribute to the club, with negotiations already underway for a new two-year extension to reward the Gunners manager after winning the title.
The North Londoners could complete an extraordinary double as they prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday. Arteta’s current £5m-a-year deal until 2027 promises a significant pay rise, but club bosses are determined to keep the Spaniard for a new era of dominance.
“If there’s one singular person who can trace all this back, I’m going to give 100 per cent credit to Mikel, his staff and the players,” said Kroenke, who was delighted with the club’s first title in 22 years. “They are them.”
“As much as Mikel is setting up our tactics, the players have to go out there and try to win for you.
“Retaining Mikel is a top priority and I think the good news for Arsenal fans around the world is that he’s enjoyed this project, he’s enjoyed being here and he’s been an Arsenal man through and through, from his time as a player to now.”
Kroenke also expressed confidence in Arsenal’s prospects of winning the Champions League trophy for the first time and promised Arteta the club’s full support in the summer transfer window.
The club, which spent £250m last year and nearly £1bn in Arteta’s six-and-a-half years at the helm, is ready to strengthen again regardless of the final result – even if glory could help secure top targets such as Atletico Madrid’s Julián Alvarez.
Kroenke added: “The Champions League is more open, but the Premier League is top to bottom. It’s amazing. I’m very proud, especially after so many years of playing so close.”
“I hope this sends a good message to boys and girls all over the world: Sometimes you have to fail to succeed, and keep trying even if you don’t reach your goals.
“We’ve had some conversations about different things and how they’re starting to take shape. But I think it’s a good push and a great question.
“And maybe some opportunities will come out of this success that we’re not aware of. But win or lose, I think our plan was a plan. Even if the results weren’t what we wanted, we were going to stick with it.”
