Mikel Arteta has signed a new three-year contract with Arsenal, extending his stay until 2027. The 42-year-old, who became the team’s manager in December 2019, has helped Arsenal finish second in the Premier League for two straight seasons. Under his leadership, the club won the FA Cup in 2020 and two Community Shields in 2020 and 2023. Arteta had only one year left on his current deal, but the new agreement ensures he’ll continue to guide the team for the next few years.
When Arteta first took over, Arsenal was struggling, sitting 10th in the league and lacking a clear identity. Over time, his role expanded from just head coach to first-team manager, as he worked closely with sporting director Edu to improve the club on and off the field. Together, they have brought new life and direction to Arsenal, transforming the team with a focus on both performance and culture.
Arsenal’s improvement under Arteta
In Mikel Arteta’s first two seasons as Arsenal manager, the team finished eighth in the Premier League, missing out on European football for the first time in 25 years during the 2020/21 season. However, after finishing fifth the next year, Arsenal qualified for the Europa League. The team continued to improve, finishing second in the Premier League for two seasons in a row, which brought them back to the Champions League for the first time since 2016/17. In the 2023/24 season, Arsenal won 28 league games and earned 89 points, just two behind Manchester City. Their goal difference also saw a huge improvement, ending with +62, compared to just +8 in Arteta’s first season.
Since Arteta’s arrival, Arsenal has spent nearly £700 million on players, including a club-record £105 million for Declan Rice. Most of the current starting lineup consists of players brought in under Arteta, with a few exceptions like academy graduates. This steady team-building effort over the past few years has shaped a squad capable of competing for major titles, and now the challenge is to win trophies to add to Arsenal’s history.
