Arteta plays down contract extension talk but confirms Arsenal commitment

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Mikel Arteta has downplayed reports suggesting contract extension talks with Arsenal have begun, though the Spaniard confirmed his continued commitment to the club as speculation mounts about his future.

The 42-year-old is currently 19 months into the three-year deal he signed in September 2024, with BBC Sport reporting that offering him an extension sits high on the club’s priority list once the season concludes.

“No, there’s no news on that,” Arteta said when questioned about contract discussions. “I think we’ll have time to discuss that. Now, the full focus is on what we have to do from here until the end of the season.”

“I’m fully committed here. I’m really happy, and I feel good. My family is good. I still have so much ambition and things to do in this football club. And for now, we are in a good place.”

Stability amid managerial uncertainty

Arteta’s commitment comes at a time when several of Arsenal’s rivals face potential managerial changes. Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola have been linked with departures from Liverpool and Manchester City respectively, while Chelsea may need to decide on Liam Rosenior’s future. Manchester United continue weighing whether to give Michael Carrick the permanent role.

Since taking charge in December 2019, Arteta has overseen a comprehensive rebuild that has transformed Arsenal into one of Europe’s most competitive sides. While the 2020 FA Cup remains his only major trophy to date, the Gunners remain in contention for both the Premier League and Champions League with seven weeks of the season remaining.

Academy decisions loom large

The same BBC Sport report indicated Arsenal are considering potential sales of academy graduates Ethan Nwaneri, currently on loan at Marseille, and Myles Lewis-Skelly, whose development has stalled this campaign. Such moves would represent pure profit on the balance sheet following last summer’s significant spending.

Arteta addressed the delicate balance between nurturing young talent and maintaining elite standards without being asked directly about the specific reports.

“At the end what has to define this football club is to seek the excellent, the best, regardless if you’re coming from the Academy or abroad,” he explained. “If we can have players from Hale End, it’s obviously much better because the identity is there, we grow with them, and they know exactly what we’re looking for.”

“But then, they have to earn it and not just for a week or a month, for years like anybody else. Nobody’s here to give a gift, an opportunity, to someone that doesn’t deserve it.”

The manager emphasized Arsenal’s unprecedented approach to integrating young players while maintaining competitive standards, pointing to the opportunities already afforded to teenagers during his tenure. With the club’s ambitions clearly set on sustained success at the highest level, the coming weeks will prove crucial in determining both Arteta’s legacy and the future direction of several promising academy products.