Arsenal news: Expert issues ’50/50′ verdict on Mikel Arteta’s future after reliable journalist’s update
Kevin Campbell has tipped Arsenal to hand Mikel Arteta a new contract regardless of whether the club finish in a European spot this season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gunners and Everton striker said the 39-year-old’s extension is “a foregone conclusion” despite fans being “50/50” over his tenure.
Arteta has entered the final 18 months of his contract at the Emirates.
According to Football.London‘s Chris Wheatley (22 February) the Spanish manager is “happy” and wants to continue with the long-term project at the club.
When asked by Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs for his assessment of Arteta, Campbell said: “The ownership are happy with what Arteta are doing.
“I know a lot of the fanbase are 50/50 on whether they want Arteta to carry on. It’s in the balance. That doesn’t really matter though. It is all down to what the owners think and see.
“The Kroenkes understand that Arteta has had to do a lot of the dirty work in the sense of getting the big earners, who weren’t cutting it, out of the club. [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang was probably the last big name who had to leave and [Alexandre] Lacazette will be gone at the end of the season.
“Arteta has done a lot of moving and shaking and he has done it ruthlessly. He is developing the youngsters in the process.
“I’m 100 per cent sure he’ll get a new deal. Whether we qualify for the Champions League, Europe League or not, I think he will get a new deal. I think it’s a foregone conclusion.”
In other news, a pundit fears Gabriel Martinelli could be frozen out at Arsenal amid ‘perilous’ teammate verdict.