How Arsenal can move beyond Mikel Arteta’s new contract in the coming weeks

Calm down, Arsenal fans. There is no need to panic just yet.

Okay, we know a 3-0 loss to Brighton was a disastrous day for the team, but if it didn’t happen so often, the Gunners would have sprung up.

After all, Arsenal had won all seven of their games this season before the defeat on the south coast. Some say they will be invincible again.

While that won’t happen, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. The latest reason relates to Mikel Arteta. The manager has signed a new contract at the Emirates Stadium.

Why Arteta’s new contract is so important

Earlier this year, there were rumors that the Spaniard might want to move to Barcelona. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t?

Arteta was born in Barcelona’s youth training camp, and he obviously still misses the Spanish team. However, his project in north London has only just begun.

The 44-year-old will have been Arsenal manager for seven years by December. Not only is he the longest-serving manager in the Premier League, he is also the longest-serving manager in England’s four major leagues.

It took him a while, but he finally conquered the Premier League. The Gunners have not won the title for 22 years, but that long drought is now over.

Without Arteta, this wouldn’t be possible. He came into the club after surviving the turbulent days of Unai Emery and the toils of the last few years of Arsene Wenger’s tenure.

He inspired tremendous change. The team he inherited is now unrecognizable. From Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis at the back to William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, the difference is chalk and cheese.

Of course, the attack still needs some work, but Arteta has proven that there’s no better coach when it comes to building a defensively solid team. The club’s defense is the best in the land, even if they lost three games last time out.

It honestly feels like the most important deal Arsenal have done all year.

Why Kroenkes needs more help for Arteta

After the Champions League final, Arteta said: “We [will] If we want to get to another level, we start making some very important decisions. We have to show that ambition because we are more than capable of doing it, but it requires being very, very ambitious, very fast and very smart. “

Well, Kronks and Andrea Berta weren’t ambitious enough in the summer. While they targeted Vinicius Junior, one of football’s greatest stars, they ultimately failed to seal a deal.

Reuters/Matthew Childs

The same goes for Morgan Rogers. He is Arteta’s top target. He even spoke to the player. However, Berta dilly-dallyed when trying to lower the price.

Rodgers was more than willing to come to north London but ended up in the west of the capital. Chelsea paid a transfer fee of £117m, a price the Championship side were simply unwilling to part with.

Is it a lack of ambition? Maybe. Regardless, it might be wise not to spend so much money when you have the time left to do other things.

However, you do wonder if they could turn back time. Christos Zolis is the only new attacker to join the squad, despite the departures of Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli. Arteta’s side are the worse for it.

So Berta and his colleagues need to make amends.

Arsenal’s next big deal is already in the works

Heading into 2027, the priorities are clear; Arsenal only need to sign one or two new strikers.

Atletico Madrid are keen on Julian Alvarez, while Eli Junior Kroupi is reportedly a player the club really likes. David Ornstein said the same thing over the summer.

Reuters/Thomas Peter

That’s the first priority, so what’s the next task? Well, as well as signing Arteta to a long-term contract, it would be a good idea to tie up their key players.

Bukayo Saka signed a new contract worth £300,000-a-week last season and it would not be surprising if Declan Rice signed a new deal for a similar amount.

In that regard, it’s good news for the fans and Arteta. In fact, discussions are ongoing with Rice about a new contract, according to a report from TEAMtalk this week.

The club are trying to work out new terms for their star midfielder as soon as possible and it’s no surprise why.

Just days after winning the premiership, Josh Kroenke revealed Rice’s arrival was a “big moment” for the program.

As the co-owner further said: “If you pay that price tag, it can’t just be for the talent on the pitch. You need to get a player that’s plug-and-play, you need to have leadership skills [the pitch]”.

Well, that’s exactly why resolving Rice’s long-term future is just as important as Arteta’s new deal.

Together they feel like the two most important parts of the club. Arteta inspires change on the sidelines, but Rice is the leader on the pitch. He may not be an official captain, but he’s a player you see barking orders and encouraging teammates more than most.

Not to mention his technical and physical attributes. He is a running machine, a monster in the middle of the park. However, he is also capable of creating magical moments. It’s hard to forget the two free kicks against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.

As time went on, there was a feeling that Rice would become the captain. He’s a good player and a good leader and there’s no way he won’t wear the captain’s armband more often than not.

A new contract in the coming weeks and months would be the first step towards realizing that dream.

Rice walked the turf at the Emirates Stadium and, along with Arteta, the project was managed safely.