Mikel Arteta well placed to smash Arsenal records as new contract finalised
Mikel Arteta is keen to make more history with Arsenal and will sign a new contract in the coming days.
The 44-year-old is reportedly close to finalising terms on an extension to his terms at the Emirates Stadium, which are currently due to expire next summer.
The Spaniard has been in charge of the Gunners since December 2019, and finally ended the wait for Premier League glory in May.
But Arteta is hungry for more and is keen to add further major honours to the Arsenal trophy cabinet, with particular focus on the Champions League after coming within just two penalty kicks of it last season.
What records could Mikel Arteta claim?
Assuming Arteta's contract ultimately takes him beyond a decade served at the club, he will become only the second ever Arsenal manager to cross the 10-year mark.
Arsene Wenger is, of course, the only other manager to have ever done it, overseeing Arteta's playing career with the Gunners during his 21-year tenure.
Herbert Chapman likely would have achieved that feat, too, but sadly died of a short illness while he was managing Arsenal in 1934.
He lifted the league title twice with Arsenal, as well as George Graham and Tom Whittaker. Wenger won three - a tally Arteta will be eyeing by the end of his tenure.
In Premier League terms, the Spaniard has a hell of a long way to go to match Wenger's number of games. The Frenchman oversaw a staggering 825 Premier League matches, more than anybody else.
But Arteta is not far off some big names. Assuming he does not depart, he will enter the top 25 this season, surpassing the late Kevin Keegan's 267.
But there is a long way go. The former midfielder will only enter the top 10 and surpass his former boss, Pep Guardiola, midway through the 2029-2030 season.
What has Arteta said about his future?
Throughout Arteta's time back at Arsenal, there have been links with a return to Spain.
The former midfielder spent much of his youth career with Barcelona, and may well like to return there one day.
Speaking in 2024 after reports linking him to Barcelona had emerged, Arteta said: "I'm in the right place with the right people and feel really good about it.
"I'm embracing a beautiful journey with this club and there's still a lot to do. I have a strong relationship with the board. Things come in a natural way. When the time is right we will have those [contract] discussions and find the best way to deal with it."