Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reassured fans about his future at the club despite entering the final year of his contract without a new deal in place.
The 44-year-old Spaniard ended Arsenal's 22-year wait to win the Premier League in May. Following that victory, Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke stated that securing Arteta to a new contract was an utmost priority, though no agreement has materialised yet.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's Community Shield match against Manchester City in Cardiff, Arteta insisted that all parties remain comfortable with the situation.
"They (the fans) don't have to worry about any of that, because I want to be here. I am extremely happy," Arteta said. "I feel very grateful to work with the people that I work with and when we have the possibility, we will resolve that. And that's it."
Arteta added that other club matters have taken precedence. "There is always another priority, I think! And that's the way we have been treating it, I think because everybody feels comfortable that the time on the contract is not going to be an issue," he said. "I think because my will, certainly, is to be here and I am very happy here. My feeling from the club is the same one. That is why everyone is doing things in a really organic way."
Mikel Arteta managerial record at Arsenal
Arteta joined Arsenal as head coach in December 2019, three years after retiring from the team as a player. He won the FA Cup in his second year in charge before guiding Arsenal to second-place finishes in three consecutive Premier League seasons between 2023 and 2025, prior to winning the title last season.
Last season, Arteta also led Arsenal to their first Champions League final in 20 years, where they were defeated on penalties by Paris Saint-Germain. Having previously warned that success is the new standard at the club, Arteta expressed surprise at transfer fees across the market this summer.
Summer transfer window spending
Several rival clubs have completed high-value transfers during the current window. Chelsea signed Arsenal target Morgan Rogers for £117m, Manchester City acquired Elliot Anderson for £116m, and Tottenham paid Newcastle £100m for Sandro Tonali.
Arsenal have been reluctant to pay over the odds for players. Their marquee signing of the summer was midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for £75m after a protracted saga, alongside striker Christos Tzolis for £34m and securing defender Piero Hincapie on a permanent deal for £35m following a loan spell.
"Yes, it has," Arteta said when asked if transfer fees had surprised him. "I wouldn't bet on that, to be fair. But that's the market. There are clubs that are happy to invest or they believe that the valuations of those players are that. And that's fair. At the end, the value of a player is what somebody can pay for you and they've done it."
Ethan Nwaneri future and transfer interest
Arteta also hinted that 19-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri could depart the club. Nwaneri sat on the Marseille bench during the second half of last season following the exit of manager Roberto De Zerbi, and is now being tracked by multiple clubs, including Galatasaray.
"It's unquestionable the talent, the desire, the love and the passion he has for the game," Arteta said of Nwaneri. "It's something that I've always loved about Ethan. I think he's had some great games and he's shown everybody that he has the ability to be here."
However, Arteta stated that guaranteed playing time is vital for the teenager. "I want him to be at the club, but only if it's something that, in the medium to long term, is best for the player as well," Arteta said. "Ethan needs to play football and if he stays here it's because we can guarantee that he can have those minutes. Otherwise it's just something that is not good for anybody, I think."
Community Shield match details
Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday in Cardiff, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm. The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.
