Arsenal are set to pick up contract talks with Mikel Arteta, with an expectation at the club that the manager will ultimately commit and renew his deal.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, poses for a photograph the Premier League trophy as players of Arsenal celebrate, as they are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2025/26 Season, after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League)
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League
Sami Mokbel reports for the BBC that Arsenal and Mikel Arteta initially shelved contract talks to focus on the end of the 2025/26 campaign, but those negotiations will pick up again over the summer.
It’s not expected that there will be any final decision taken until Arteta returns from holiday, but there was positive progress during initial conversations, and the expectation at the Emirates is that it’s a case of when he renews, rather than if.
All the same, the club are remaining cautious, and a new contract would require a major increase on Arteta’s current wages – of up to £15m a season. With Pep Guardiola leaving Manchester City, such an increase would make Arteta the Premier League’s best-paid manager.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Arsenal players throw Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, in the air as they celebrate victory after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Sam Wallace confirms for The Telegraph that during contract talks in January, Arteta suggested that he’d need a very significant increase on his current terms.
Wallace claims there’s still much to be negotiated before manager and club can reach an agreement, and Arteta will likely insist on being the highest-paid manager in the Premier League.
Arsenal will obviously be keen to keep Arteta, given he’s just led the club to the Premier League title and the Champions League and League Cup finals. But they’ll also likely have their limits for how much they’re willing to offer the manager.
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta addresses the media during the press conference one day ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026 Final at Puskas Arena on May 29, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary.
Photo by Ina Fassbender – Pool/Getty Images
From a fan perspective, the hope will be that the two parties can quickly find a compromise and announce an extension before the summer is out. Managerial contract conversations will only serve as a distraction when the new season gets underway.
Latest on Arteta’s Arsenal contract talks after pay increase demand
Arsenal are set to pick up contract talks with Mikel Arteta, with an expectation at the club that the manager will ultimately commit and renew his deal.
Aston Villa star open to Arsenal transfer this summer
Morgan Rogers is on Arsenal’s summer shortlist and is open to joining the Gunners in the upcoming transfer window, according to reports.
David Ornstein: Arsenal could exceed last summer’s transfer spend
David Ornstein has suggested that Arsenal could match or exceed last summer’s transfer outlay, with at least three positions in mind to strengthen.
Arsenal star could face surgery after World Cup
William Saliba is reportedly set for surgery after the World Cup, putting the start of the 2026/27 campaign in doubt for the Arsenal defender.
Arsenal 19yo sends farewell message as transfer is confirmed
Ex-academy defender Josh Nichols has sent a farewell message to Arsenal after agreeing to join Croatian side NK Kustosija.
Related Topics