Paul Merson has praised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for transforming the club but warned that retaining the Premier League title will be a greater challenge than winning it.
Arteta signed a new contract until June 2030 on Wednesday, extending his stay in north London after guiding Arsenal to their first league championship in 22 years last season.
Speaking to Sky Sports, former Arsenal midfielder Merson insisted the Spaniard deserved the extension for his achievements both before and after ending the club’s lengthy title drought.
“Mikel Arteta has done an unbelievable job, not just them winning the Premier League last year, but before that he’d done a great job at Arsenal,” Merson said.
He described Arsenal as one of the best clubs to manage and believes Arteta has found an ideal environment to continue his work.
Merson also highlighted the difficult decisions Arteta made during his early years, particularly his handling of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil.
Both players left following disagreements over their roles and circumstances at the club, with Arteta prioritising changes to the dressing-room culture.
The former England international also recalled the criticism Arteta received for replacing Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya.
Merson believes that decision has been vindicated, describing Raya as one of the world’s best goalkeepers.
However, he argued that Arteta’s new agreement brings greater expectations following Arsenal’s title-winning campaign.
“The easiest thing in the world is to get to the top because you’ve got that fight, you’ve got that desire,” Merson said. “The hardest thing in the world is staying there.”
Merson pointed to Arsenal’s recent 3-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion as a concerning indication that the champions cannot afford to become complacent.
Although he acknowledged Brighton’s quality, the manner of the defeat raised questions about Arsenal’s response to their success.
The former midfielder believes Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Leeds United will offer an important indication of the squad’s mentality.
He wants to see Arsenal demonstrate the same determination that helped them secure last season’s championship.
Merson nevertheless remains convinced Arteta possesses the strongest squad in the Premier League and should be targeting another title this season.
“I still think they’ve got to win the Premier League this year,” he added.
The comments come as Arteta prepares to begin the next chapter of his Arsenal tenure, with the challenge now shifting from restoring the club to the summit to keeping them there.