Mikel Arteta has agreed to a new contract with Arsenal, which could see him become one of the longest-serving managers in Premier League history. The 44-year-old Spaniard has been in charge of Arsenal since December 2019, succeeding Unai Emery. His previous contract was set to expire at the end of the 2026/27 season. Arteta's new deal follows Arsenal's historic Premier League title win in the 2025/26 campaign, their first in 22 years.
Arteta's managerial career has been marked by significant achievements, including leading Arsenal to the UEFA Champions League final last season, where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties. Before becoming Arsenal manager, Arteta spent three-and-a-half years as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. He took his first senior managerial position at Arsenal, where he had previously played. Arteta's tenure has become notable in a period of frequent managerial changes in the Premier League.
Nine clubs began the 2026/27 season with new managers, while Arteta remained the longest-serving coach in the division. By August 19, he had been in charge for 2,432 days. Arteta's longevity is striking compared to Arsenal's historical record, with Arsène Wenger being the club's longest-serving manager, having spent 21 years and eight months in charge. Arteta has already moved into the upper reaches of the Premier League's historical managerial-tenure list.
Arteta's current spell is approaching seven years, and a stay until around 2030 would take him beyond a decade at the club. Wenger's shadow remains significant, with the Frenchman transforming Arsenal during his 22-year reign, winning three Premier League titles and overseeing the famous unbeaten league campaign of 2003/04. Arteta's achievements are still shorter in duration, but his new agreement gives him the opportunity to build a longer body of work.
Arteta inherited an Arsenal side that was struggling for consistency and sitting 10th in the Premier League when he arrived in December 2019. He immediately delivered the FA Cup in his first season before embarking on a lengthy rebuilding process. Arsenal subsequently returned to the Champions League and became regular title contenders before finally ending their 22-year wait for another Premier League championship.
Arsenal's transformation has been reflected statistically, with the club recording 26 or more Premier League victories in three of the last four seasons. Arteta matched Wenger's record of achieving that mark three times. The decision to extend Arteta's stay signals Arsenal's desire for continuity after finally reaching the summit of English football. The club has begun preparing new contracts for members of Arteta's coaching staff following last season's title success.
Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke had previously described retaining Arteta as a major priority. The formal signing and announcement of Arteta's new agreement are expected during the current international break. The new deal gives Arteta the opportunity to establish an era of sustained success at Arsenal, but the length of his eventual reign and the number of trophies he could add remain matters for the future.
Key points
- Mikel Arteta agrees to a new contract with Arsenal, potentially extending his tenure into the next decade.
- Arteta's new deal follows Arsenal's historic Premier League title win in the 2025/26 campaign.
- Arteta has become one of the longest-serving managers in the modern Premier League era.
