Mikel Arteta is staying at Arsenal — and he wants everyone to know the hard work has only just started. The Premier League champions have confirmed the 44-year-old Spaniard has signed a new contract that runs until 2030, ending any lingering uncertainty over his future at the Emirates.

Arteta's previous deal was due to expire at the end of this season, which gave the negotiations a degree of urgency not always seen in such situations. BBC Sport had reported earlier this month that the two parties had already reached an agreement in principle, and that deal is now signed and sealed.

The new contract represents a meaningful uplift in terms. Arteta had been earning £10m per year plus up to an additional £5m in bonuses. In benchmarking his value, the Arsenal manager had reportedly pointed to the earnings of elite European coaches — among them Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone and former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, both of whom are understood to command north of £20m annually.

'This is only the beginning'

Arteta was emphatic in setting out his ambitions alongside the announcement. "This club is unique, its character and the way it makes you feel, and I have a great sense of privilege that our journey together will continue," he said. "We have already built a special bond and created memories that will last a lifetime, and what is so exciting is that this is only the beginning of what we can achieve together."

Co-chairmen Stan and Josh Kroenke were equally bullish. "We share a special bond with Mikel. We are so proud of everything we have achieved since he returned to the club in 2019," they said in a joint statement. "He has a deep understanding of Arsenal's values and carries them in his heart."

A decade at the helm — and counting

Arteta arrived at Arsenal in December 2019 with a point to prove as a first-time manager. What followed has been a complete transformation of a club that had grown accustomed to finishing fifth and watching the big prizes pass them by. Should he see out his new deal, he will have been in charge for the best part of a decade — a tenure that, if the ambitions being articulated around the club materialise, could put him among the great Arsenal managers.

The silverware is already accumulating. This season brought Arsenal their first league title in 20 years, and before that Arteta delivered an FA Cup. Most recently, the club came agonisingly close to a first-ever Champions League trophy, falling at the final hurdle against Paris St-Germain — a result that, by all accounts, has served as motivation rather than deflation for everyone inside the building.

Dynasty building is what drives Arteta, and the noises out of north London suggest both manager and club are firmly aligned on that goal. With the foundations now secured, the question is no longer whether Arteta will be here to lead the next chapter — it is just how far this side can go.

Frequently asked

How long is Arteta's new Arsenal contract?
Mikel Arteta has signed a new deal that runs until 2030, meaning he could spend close to a decade in total as Arsenal manager.
How much does Arteta earn at Arsenal?
Under his previous deal, Arteta was reported to earn £10m per year plus up to £5m in bonuses. His new contract includes an increase on those terms, though the exact new figure has not been officially confirmed.
What has Arteta won with Arsenal?
Arteta has won the Premier League title and the FA Cup with Arsenal. He also led the club to the Champions League final, where they were beaten by Paris St-Germain.