Mikel Arteta Coy On Contract Extension Talks

Mikel Arteta refused to address reports that he’s set for a contract extension…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta remained coy regarding a report which suggested that the Spaniard is set to be offered a new three-year contract, though he stressed that he’s happy at the club.

A report emerged on Tuesday suggesting that the owners were readying a new three-year contract, with a significant increase to his annual salary (via The Sun).

Arteta’s current contract is up in 2023 and the former Gunner skipper has overseen a huge overall in the playing squad since his arrival, with only a handful of the current squad remaining from when he took over.

Also, the Kroenke family sanctioned a record-breaking summer spend last year, despite Arteta failing to qualify for Europe in his first full season in charge.

That decision from the owners seems to have paid off so far with Arteta guiding the team to a top-four challenge, with the team four points off fourth with three games in hand on Manchester United.

Ahead of a crucial home against Wolves, Arteta refused to dwell on recent reports about the club securing his long-term future, stating that his focus was on achieving this season’s aims.

“I am really happy here,” Arteta told reporters ahead of Thursday’s clash.

“My aim is just to build with the club a winning team. A team people can enjoy watching.

“Things will happen naturally. Our focus must be delivering what we want”, the former midfielder added.

While talk of a new contract should be halted until the summer, Arteta may have done enough this term to prove to the owners that he’s the man to continue leading the club.

A challenge for the top four, a return to European football and tangible evidence of establishing a style of play may have been the remit at the start of the season.

So far, Arteta is on course to ticking those boxes.