Arteta's new £20m-a-year deal shows where the power lies at Arsenal

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Mikel Arteta has signed a new four-year contract at Arsenal, a deal understood to be worth more than £20m a season that makes him the highest-paid manager in English football, according to the Guardian. Only Atlético Madrid's Diego Simeone is thought to earn more among managers globally.

The new terms run until 2030, meaning Arteta would pass a decade in charge of Arsenal should he see out the contract. He marks his seventh anniversary in the role this December, having been appointed after replacing Unai Emery, and was upgraded from head coach to manager in September 2020. He is still some distance from Arsène Wenger's near-22-year reign at the club, which began 30 years ago last week, but the length of this deal signals the scale of Arsenal's long-term commitment to him.

Influence beyond the pitch

The Guardian's report details how Arteta's say now extends well past team selection. He is understood to have expressed concern over the disruption a major Emirates Stadium expansion would cause, a factor in Arsenal's decision this week to shelve plans for a capacity increase that could have taken the ground to 70,000. Owners Kroenke Sports & Entertainment were also reportedly wary of the cost involved, despite recently agreeing a $4bn deal to buy the LA Angels.

On transfer business, Arteta is said to have had the final say on turning down interest in Belgium forward Malick Fofana when he was offered late in the summer window, a call reportedly made in part to protect playing opportunities for 16-year-old academy forward Max Dowman. That decision has drawn fresh scrutiny after Christos Tzolis picked up a hamstring injury on international duty with Greece, expected to keep him out for at least three weeks.

A direct line to ownership

Arteta is understood to have a direct line to co-chair Josh Kroenke and a major say over most significant decisions at the club, on and off the pitch. That influence has grown steadily since he was made Arsenal captain by Wenger in 2014 and has continued even following the arrival of sporting director Andrea Berta in March 2025.

The scale of his authority was underlined in a lighter example cited by the Guardian: Arteta was behind the introduction of Win, the club's chocolate labrador therapy dog, at the training ground in May 2023, and reportedly took her home for Christmas last year.