Mikel Arteta ‘to sign new long-term contract at Arsenal very soon’… but only after ‘recalibrating’ Gunners squad
MIKEL ARTETA is reportedly set to sign a new long-term contract at Arsenal.
The manager has transformed the Gunners into Premier League challengers since he arrived in 2019.
GettyMikel Arteta is expected to sign a new contract at Arsenal[/caption]
The last two campaigns have seen Arsenal as the main threat to Manchester City‘s reign of domination and fall short by just two points last season.
Arteta, 42, currently has a deal with the North London outfit that expires in 2025.
He is now expected to commit his long-term future to the club, according to Sky Sports.
The report added that the Spaniard’s relationship with sporting director Edu and the ownership is strong.
It is suggested that formal talks were not seen as “necessary” and that there was “no rush” to force negotiations.
Arteta has said that his extension will happen in a natural way, and his current focus is on “recalibrating the squad” for the season.
Earlier this year, the manager was linked with a move back to Spain to take charge of Barcelona.
Arteta admitted that he has “always thought” he would return to his homeland “one day”.
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His comments came after it was announced that Xavi would leave his role as Barcelona manager.
Arteta was in the LaLiga giant’s famed La Masia academy when he was 15 years old.
Arsenal ratings vs Wolves
ARSENAL kicked off their campaign with three points at home to Wolves.
Here’s how SunSport’s Isabelle Barker rated Mikel Arteta’s men.
David Raya – 8
Produced a jaw-dropping save in the opening-half on an awkward Jorgen Strand Larsen header.
Saved Saliba’s skins late on when he nearly produced a monumental cock-up by passing the ball straight to Cunha.
Ben White – 7
White wanted a goal so bad, had two shots in the opening half and was linking the play well.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6
Put the Gunners under pressure at times to highlight why the club signed Riccardo Calafiori in the summer.
The Ukrainian left-back also looked weak defensively.
With the return of Jurrien Timber, Zinchenko could see himself out of the starting XI.
Gabrel – 7
Was mostly rock solid at the back and was more reliable than Saliba but still made a few questionable tackles.
William Saliba – 6
Was the culprit of a number of poor passes.
Had a disastrous spell which gifted Wolves a chance, forcing Raya into that blinding save in the first-half.
He then passed the ball straight to Matheus Cunha who so very nearly equalised in the second-half.
Martin Odegaard – 7
A joy to watch in the first-half but needed to sharpen up in the second-half. Held onto the ball for too long doing flicks and tricks which put Arsenal under the cosh.
Thomas Partey – 7
Solid display, buzzed about all over the pitch and was neat and tidy with his distribution.
Nearly made it 2-0 in the second-half with a rasping, low shot.
Declan Rice – 6
Had little influence throughout the game and came off injured on 84-minutes.
Bukayo Saka – 9
The opener was all about the cross from Saka.
It was an inch-perfect, in-swinging cross into the box, the keeper couldn’t come for it, the defenders didn’t want to knock it into their own net, and Havertz took full advantage.
He wrapped up a perfect performance by firing a rocket into the top corner to make it 2-0.
Kai Havertz – 8
His opener had been brewing for a while when he produced a crisp finish on 25 minutes. He has now scored 10 goals in his last 15 Premier League games. Scuppered a golden chance early in the second-half though.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
Solid performance but was wasteful and selfish when he could have laid the ball back to Declan Rice when he was wide open.
Subs:
Jurrien Timber – 7
Gabriel Jesus – 7
Leandro Trossard – 7
He never managed to break into the first team at the Catalan club but had one season at Real Sociedad before moving to the UK.
Since taking charge of Arsenal, Arteta has made an impressive start to his managerial career.
He has won 141 of his 232 matches and only lost 57.
This record has seen the coach notch an impressive 1.97 points per game.
Arteta has also led Arsenal to silverware, having lifted the FA Cup in 2020 and two Community Shields.
Arteta’s record at Arsenal
Here is a look at Mikel Arteta’s record at Arsenal..
Games: 232
Wins: 141
Draws: 34
Losses: 57
Goals scored: 453
Goals conceded: 246
Points per game: 1.97
Biggest signing: Declan Rice (£105m)
Biggest sale: Emile Smith Rowe (£27m)
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