Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence in negotiating a new contract with Arsenal after the transfer window shuts, reaffirming his commitment to the club.
In a July interview with ESPN, the Spanish manager mentioned he didn’t foresee any problems in securing an extension.
However, the Premier League season has kicked off without any renewal of his current contract, which is set to expire next summer.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are close to completing their third signing of the window, as Mikel Merino nears a £32 million ($42m) move from Real Sociedad. This follows the recent acquisitions of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna and the permanent signing of David Raya from Brentford.
Asked if the attention would shift to his own future once the window closed on Aug. 30, Arteta said: “Yes. The focus has been on the transfer window. We had quite a lot of things to do and discuss.
“We are on it and we will take care of that in the right moment. I am very grateful first of all for where I’m sitting and the people I work with every single day because it’s really difficult to find that harmony, trust, belief and alignment in the vision.
“It’s something I always mention because I believe we still have an unbelievable time ahead of us. It’s very exciting and I am very excited about it.”
Pushed on whether he saw emulating the nine-year tenures of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool as a target, Arteta said: “I see today and tomorrow. That is the reality as managers and we have to live with that urgency.
“Looking two, three years down the line, you have to plan because what happens to the club afterwards depends on how good the results we get are – that’s it. That’s the reality.
In the meantime, do your best and enjoy it if you can.”
Arsenal are actively exploring attacking prospects, with Nico Williams of Athletic Club being a top target.
When questioned about potential transfers as the window closes—especially with Eddie Nketiah nearing a £30 million transfer to Nottingham Forest—Mikel Arteta acknowledged the need for preparedness.
He stated, “We must stay vigilant as anything can occur, and it’s crucial to be ready, particularly in the final week of the window.”
“You have to be alert and prepared because a lot of surprises can come, for many different reasons and we are prepared.”
Arteta did however distance Arsenal from any potential move for Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling.