SBOTOP Mikel Arteta Opens Up on His Arsenal Future : “I Deserve a New Contract”

Mikel Arteta has openly addressed his future at Arsenal, making it clear that any contract extension will depend entirely on his ability to keep proving himself at the highest level. The Spanish manager insists that longevity at a club like Arsenal cannot be taken for granted and must be earned every single day.

As Arsenal prepare for an away trip to Everton in the Premier League, the timing carries symbolic weight. The match coincides with six years since Arteta was officially appointed as Arsenal’s head coach, a period that has transformed both his career and the club’s trajectory.

Currently 43 years old, Arteta still has around 18 months remaining on his existing contract. While there is no immediate urgency, conversations around his long-term future have naturally resurfaced given Arsenal’s renewed competitiveness and the manager’s growing influence within the club.

Six Years of Transformation at Arsenal

Since taking charge in December 2019, Arteta has overseen one of the most significant rebuilds in Arsenal’s modern history. Inheriting a squad lacking direction and consistency, he gradually reshaped the club’s identity, instilling discipline, tactical clarity, and a strong culture.

His early success came with the FA Cup triumph in 2020, a victory that not only delivered silverware but also elevated his status within the club. Following that achievement, Arteta was promoted from head coach to full manager, granting him broader authority over recruitment, squad planning, and long-term strategy.

Today, Arteta is widely regarded as one of the most influential managers in the Premier League, trusted by the board and ownership to steer Arsenal’s footballing project. Yet, despite his growing power, he remains adamant that nothing should be assumed about his future.

“A Manager Must Earn the Right to Stay”

When asked whether he could imagine remaining at Arsenal beyond 2027, Arteta delivered a characteristically honest response.

“Yes, but everything is about today,” he explained. “A lot of things still need to happen in the coming months for me to earn that right.”

For Arteta, the role of a manager is never secure by default. He believes continuation depends on daily behavior, leadership, and the connection with players.

“A manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow,” he said. “It’s about how you react, how you speak here, how you walk into the dressing room, the message you deliver, and how much the players actually follow you.”

Those words underline a philosophy rooted in accountability. Arteta sees management not as a status but as a constant examination of credibility.

The Importance of Trust and Support

Arteta also emphasized that success at Arsenal is not built in isolation. While he praised the backing he receives from the club’s owners and board, he stressed that player support remains the ultimate foundation.

“I’ve always said you need support,” he noted. “From the owners and the board, it’s been incredible. But at the end of the day, the most important people are the players.”

He described the daily reality of management as intensely personal. When a manager enters the dressing room, he said, the reaction can instantly reveal whether the message is landing or being ignored.

“You open the door, you face them, you talk to them, and the reaction can be wide awake or completely asleep,” Arteta explained. “That response tells you everything.”

Consistent Positive Responses

Reflecting on his six-year tenure, Arteta revealed that player engagement has been a key reason he remains motivated.

“Over six years, I’ve only seen players with a high level of attention, a desire to learn, and a willingness to give their best for the team,” he said. “That’s what keeps me in this job. Nothing else.”

Of course, results still matter. Arteta acknowledged that winning remains the ultimate currency in elite football.

“We’ve also won a lot of matches,” he added. “Percentage-wise, it’s been quite high. That’s the only way. If you don’t win, you can’t survive in an environment like this.”

Contract Talks for Key Players

While Arteta’s own future remains open-ended, Arsenal are actively working to secure their core players. The club is currently in discussions over a new deal for Bukayo Saka, while Declan Rice is also expected to be offered an improved contract.

Arteta admitted that his situation occasionally comes up during negotiations with players.

“They do ask me,” he said. “But I can’t lie to them. I don’t know. That’s something that doesn’t depend entirely on me.”

Honest Conversations and Mutual Belief

According to Arteta, players often seek reassurance about his personal commitment and energy levels.

“They ask me if I’m really happy here, if I still have the energy and the capacity to take this club forward,” he explained. “And the answer is yes. One hundred percent yes.”

However, he was careful to point out that decisions about contracts involve multiple perspectives.

“This doesn’t only depend on me,” Arteta said. “They have to make decisions based on what they feel.”

A Positive Signal for the Club

Arteta believes that players expressing a strong desire to stay is a powerful indicator of Arsenal’s progress.

“When you sit with a player and they speak to you in that way, it’s another sign,” he concluded. “They truly want to stay and don’t want to listen to other options.”

For Arteta, that loyalty reflects trust in the club’s vision.

“It shows the club treats them in the right way,” he added, “and they believe this is the right place to achieve what they want in life.”

As Arsenal continue their pursuit of long-term success, Arteta’s words suggest stability built not on contracts alone, but on belief, performance, and shared ambition.