Mikel Arteta says Arsenal contract talks will wait as he insists: ‘I want to be here’

Mikel Arteta has reassured Arsenal supporters that he wants to remain as manager, despite entering the final year of his contract with the club.

Arteta’s current agreement is due to expire at the end of the season. Although it had been expected that the 44-year-old would already have agreed an extension, Arsenal and the manager instead chose to make the summer transfer window their immediate priority.

Arteta said there was no reason for supporters to be concerned about the delay and stressed that he remained happy at the club.

“There is no need for them to worry about any of that, because I want to be here,” he said in comments highlighted by ESPN. “I am extremely happy. I feel very grateful to work with the people I work with, and when we have the opportunity, we will resolve this. That is it.”

The Spaniard added that there had always been another matter demanding attention, suggesting the timing of the discussions had been a deliberate choice rather than a sign of uncertainty over his future.

“There is always another priority, I think!” Arteta said. “That is the way we have dealt with it. I think everyone feels comfortable that the length of the contract will not be an issue.”

Arteta repeated that his preference was to continue in his role at Arsenal and said his feelings towards the club had not changed.

“I think my desire is definitely to be here, and I am really happy here,” he said. “My feeling towards the club is the same. That is why everyone is dealing with things in a very natural way.”

Arteta joined Arsenal in December 2019 and has overseen a period of continued progress under the ownership of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.

That development reached a significant milestone last season, when Arsenal won the Premier League title for the first time since 2004.

The manager was speaking before Arsenal’s Community Shield meeting with Manchester City on Sunday evening in Cardiff. The fixture provides the latest competitive test for a side preparing for the new campaign, while discussions over Arteta’s longer-term position remain unresolved.

However, his comments offered a clear indication that the delay in agreeing a new contract should not be interpreted as a lack of commitment. Arteta said he was content with the way the matter had been handled and confident that the contract issue could be addressed when the timing was right.

For now, both sides have chosen to concentrate on the club’s preparations and transfer business, with Arteta making clear that he expects his relationship with Arsenal to continue beyond the final season of his current deal.