Morning guys.
It’s now official, Mikel Arteta is staying put for a few more years having signed a new long term contract. As suggested before when rumours of his new contract were rife, I’m sure the majority of Arsenal fans will be happy but it’s inevitable others might not be. If the persons whose name is on the managers office door is doing all which is asked of him by his bosses, who that person is matters not. Managers come and go, players come and go too but The Arsenal will always live on. Off the back of a first Premier League trophy, Mikel was always going to stay in my opinion and now that Man City are in all sorts of trouble, in theory, his and the teams path towards further success, should be less complicated, domestically at least. Other clubs are going through mixed times because of squad overhauls, new managers or in certain circumstances, both.
Arsenal however, are settled, the manager has his message drummed into the players, all by now knowing what he expects of them. Even so, they can still deliver a shocker as seen the weekend before this long and boring international break which is finally over. Thank goodness!
The performance against Brighton was freak I think because so many players had a really bad day on the same day. Learn from it, move on and never repeat it. Starting on Saturday lunchtime against Leeds Utd.
Talking to Arsenal.com, co-chairs Stan and Josh Kroenke said:
It has been an incredible journey so far and we are excited for what lies ahead in this special relationship. Last season was an incredible moment in Arsenal’s history, a moment in which we created memories that will last a lifetime. We’re determined to create many more in the years ahead.
We share a special bond with Mikel. We are so proud of everything we have achieved since he returned to the club in 2019. He has a deep understanding of Arsenal’s values and carries them in his heart. He knows what this club means to everyone connected to it and is committed to building on everything we have achieved together.
CEO Richard Garlick added:
This is an important time in Arsenal Football Club’s history. We want to create a winning era together with Mikel. We will continue to work hard together as we aim to fulfil our long-term ambitions for the club and our supporters. Mikel has the belief, determination and the understanding of what it takes to build something remarkable and enduring here, and we are excited to continue that journey together.
Let’s be honest, unless Arteta chooses to seek pastures new or results/performances go downhill rapidly and consistently, his job is probably as safe as houses. One of his toughest jobs over the next few weeks is going to be managing the squad, especially as his seemingly first choice frontman Kai Havertz is expected to be ruled out for a while and Christos Tzolis is also set to miss a few games having suffered injury. Jurrien Timber is hardly fully fit and healthy and Ezri Konsa returned early from international football too. Thankfully, Ben White, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera are back in training although what shape they are truly in is unknown until Mikel Arteta holds his pre match press conference. I also read that Max Dowman has suffered an injury which would be pretty grim if true as surely now, he might be given more minutes. I guess it’ll be a toss up between Noni Madueke or Ebe Eze on the left, neither of whom fill me with confidence.
As for Mikel, well he’s thrilled to be staying:
It’s a privilege to commit my future to the club and to continue to work with exceptional people who want the best for Arsenal. This club is unique, its character and the way it makes you feel, and I have a great sense of privilege that our journey together will continue.
We have already built a special bond and created memories that will last a lifetime, and what is so exciting is that this is only the beginning of what we can achieve together. I’m extremely grateful to Stan and Josh for their trust and support, and feel honoured to be leading this club through such a special period in its 140-year history.
This is such a proud moment for me and my family. I feel the love and respect from our fantastic supporters, and they have mine – and ours – in return.
Mikel has managed 361 matches in all competitions, with a win percentage of 62.05%, the best of any full-time manager in our history.
Lastly, rumour has it that a new deal for Declan Rice is soon to be announced.. Excellent news.
Catch up in the comments.
Well said Merlin..
Its funny how Arsenal only won the league because other clubs flopped or were in transition but when Arteta first arrived, we too we going through transition in addition to the points you make about the squad and the club as a whole wasn’t far from being in the gutter. Arteta, the Kroenke family too have brought us back to life in a big way.
Would Arteta have two more PL titles against his name had City been “found out” sooner? Perhaps. But it is what it is and we cannot turn back time.
Let’s recapped what Mikel Arteta had done.
Step #1 – He inherited a mess from Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery, with disrupted dressing room. Arteta restored the culture of what it meant to play for Arsenal. He got lucky by winning 2019 FA Cup and a stay of execution after 8th successive finish in EPL.
Step #2 – He started to clear those deadwoods and disrupted players not in tune of his vision.
Step #3 – He bought Jesus, Zinchenko, et al to instill a winning mentality in the team.
Step #4 – His team start to challenge for the title with 2 heart-breaking season finishing 2nd with late season collapse in April/May. Three successive 2-2 while leading 2-0 lost the 2023/24 title. Arteta made a fatal error in judgement by focusing on Bayern Munich resulting in Aston Villa loss and 2024/25 title gone.
Step #5 – Won 2025/26 title and fulfilled his promise in 2019 that his Project needed 5 steps to return to winning way.
Step #6 – Mikel Arteta Legacy is to build a dynasty, incorporating homegrown players akin to Ferguson Fledgings or Guardiola La Masia products that dominated Spanish Football. The jury is still out on Arteta Legacy, or he is just a lucky manager in the right place at the right time with all his rivals in transition and Arsenal is the only team with continuity and a formidable Defensive Unit rated the best in Europe in 2025/26 season.
And from 2019 to last 2026 summer transfers, Arteta had spent over £1.0 billion in player transfers. On the other hand, it is money well spent as it generates growing commercial revenues, broadcasting & matchday revenues with our 2025/26 turnovers, I think, £670 million.
Regardless of Mikel Arteta “only” win 2019 FA Cup, 3 Community Shields and 2025/26 title, he was competing against financial doping by Man City and Chelski.
Of course, Arteta got lucky in 2025/26 with Liverpool collapse when Mo Salah stopped scoring, ManU lost its way, Chelski trying to buy a team, and Guardiola team was in transition.
In summary, it was Mikel Arteta that forged the best Defensive Unit in Europe that won him the 2025/26 title. Kudos to him for doing that and bringing joy back to Arsenal fans after a decade of bleakness with Wenger and Emery … and 2 years of Arteta! 😀
Max Dowman’s three Guinness World Records certificates are for – the youngest player to appear in the Champions League, the youngest Premier League goalscorer and the youngest Premier League title winner.
Well done young man..
Hi Geoff, I’d rather he were tied down for longer so a) he’s ours and b) if he opts for something new, his sale value is protected.
International you say that Kev, one of my neighbours on the camp site a week or so ago was a staunch Hammers fan. A lovely bloke too and he said the general consensus was fans were happy Rice joined Arsenal rather than City or Chelsea etc. They respected him for helping the club win in Europe and deserved his big move.
Pundits etc don’t like it though because they don’t like seeing Arsenal strong. It was inevitable England would be viewed in such a way in his absence, just look at what that idiot Souness said a while back. I love it though because we as a club are living rent free in their heads…
Rico, in regard to Rice, you say 3 years and I say 2 years, what about a compromise 2 years with the option of another 1 year subject to fitness
Morning Rico and all,
Congratulation to Max Dowman on gaining 3 Guinness books records
You know Rico, certain individuals in the media, and there are many, have never forgiven Declan Rice for his decision to join Arsenal. There is the West Ham mafia among the media of course but there are so many other Arsenal and Arteta haters who were sure at the time that Declan would return to Chelsea or to join Man City even though they all knew how dishonest both those clubs had been. Joining Arsenal was never in the script.
So we have many ex-players and pundits who periodically take their revenge by criticising Rice and by association Arsenal, of course they do. A recent theme emerged after England had played so well with Anderson and Scott putting in top performances. Instead of lauding the strength in depth of the England squad the snide comments took aim at Rice and his place in the team, much as those same haters dig out Saka.
Thanks Kev. Fingers crossed you’re right re Eze etc.
Continuity and success hopefully Cicero..
Morning Cicero, Kev, all.
It’s easier for you to do that Dennis, I’m waitlist to see the dentist.
City’s alleged cheating could have deprived Arteta from winning the PL earlier. To suggest he is a championship manager is crazy imo
Morning Gooners, morning Rico, excellent post and excellent news, the immediate future is secure and safe. Yes Rico the sudden demise of Man City could really open up the road ahead and with Arteta in charge it could be full of excitement and silverware.
I think that Gyokeres and Eze are both the types of players who build up momentum with a run of games as starters, so with Tzolis out for October and probably Havertz as well both Ebs and Vik will, or should, start most PL and CL games and by the end of the month be rocking.
Good morning Rico.
I don’t think Arteta’s new contract was ever in doubt, last season’s Premiership title was largely to do with the fact that the whole squad were singing from the same hymn book.
Yes it took maybe a bit to long to achieve but it was done despite City’s 115 crimes.
We now have a good balance between regular starters and up and coming youngsters who are gradually being integrated into what Stan and Josh happily call the Arsenal Family.
Continuity is becoming Arsenal’s watchword. Long may it remain so.
Could you transfer my last comment on the previous Post, please Rico.
I’m staunch and principled in my beliefs and strongly believe a lot of the hype around Arteta is smoke and mirrors.
I’m happy to share my personal opinion of Arteta and will not shy away from defending my views either.
I think he is Championship level without fortunes to spend on transfers.