Wyness: losing Arteta would cost Arsenal far more than £25m

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Mikel Arteta has become the highest paid manager in the Premier League, with Arsenal rewarding him for ending the club's long wait for a league title after the 2003/04 unbeaten campaign under Arsène Wenger.

Wenger stayed in charge until 2018 but could not deliver another championship, and Unai Emery also failed to get Arsenal back into regular top four contention. The club turned to Arteta at the end of 2019, giving him time to rebuild the squad and reshape the culture at the Emirates. That patience has turned Arsenal into one of the best coached sides in the division, with Arteta now central to the club's long term plans.

Arteta seen as more than just a manager

Arsenal's willingness to make Arteta the Premier League's top earner reflects how much importance the club places on his leadership. Replacing him would mean far more than hiring a new head coach, given the influence he has had over the squad and the overall direction of the club.

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness believes Arsenal would face serious consequences if Arteta ever left, arguing that his value stretches well beyond matchday touchline decisions.

Speaking to Football Insider, Wyness described Arteta as fundamental to how Arsenal operate as a club.

“When you look at Arsenal, you've got to look at a few things. You've got to think that Arteta isn't really a cog in the wheel. I think he's the whole operating system, so to speak,” Wyness said.

“If you were to look at the cost of disruption of getting rid of Arteta, or if he were to leave, that would be a real cost, a lot more than £25m.”

Protecting years of progress

Wyness's comments highlight the value Arsenal place on continuity. After years of managerial upheaval and inconsistent results following Wenger's departure, the club has established a clear identity and footballing philosophy under Arteta.

Keeping him in place is as much about safeguarding the progress already made as it is about chasing further silverware in the coming seasons. Arsenal's hierarchy appears to view the new deal not simply as a reward for past achievements, but as an investment in stability at a club that spent several years searching for exactly that.

With Arteta now tied to Arsenal on the sport's most lucrative managerial contract, attention turns to whether he can deliver the sustained success the club have built their long term project around.