Source: Arsenal man set to become ‘the highest paid in the league’, four-year deal imminent
Arsenal will offer manager Mikel Arteta a new deal soon in a bid to keep the Spaniard at the club for the long-term.
That is according to ex-Aberdeen and Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness who, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, thinks Arteta may become the highest paid manager in the Premier League if he was to sign a new deal.
Arteta was appointed Arsenal manager in December 2019, and the club have been on an upward trajectory since as they chase their first Premier League title since 2004.
Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Spurs, and then a 3-1 victory against Bayern at Emirates Stadium, means the Gunners are currently top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables.
Mikel Arteta contract expected at Arsenal
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Arsenal owner, Stan Kroenke, is trying to build a “dynasty” at the north London club.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness is confident Arsenal will tie Arteta down to the club.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think it’ll be fairly imminent. I think everybody’s fairly happy with the way things are going.
“The main thing, I think, for Mikel was getting so many of the squad re-signed and under a decent contract level. And I think that’s what Kroenke has been looking for for a long time now to try and build some sort of dynasty.
“So I think very much given the position they’re in, I don’t see any other way than re-signing Mikel. I think he’s through till 2027 at present. I’d expect him to go to 2029 and a very big, good bumper contract for him.
“I think he’d become one of the highest paid managers in the league, if not the highest paid. Look, I know Mikel well. I actually signed him for Everton and got to know him and his wife very well. Lovely guy, great admiration for him, always liked him, knew he was very bright.
“And the way he’s grown, he’s done a great job. And look, they’re sitting top of the table. A long way to go but I think, yes, I think there’ll be a new contract and I think they want to try and build something for a longer term platform.
“And also it’s going to be about building the squad with depth and age in particular, getting the young ones in signed up. We’re already seeing it with some of the younger stars coming in at 15 even for Arsenal.
“So look, he wants to build that platform and not just winning with the squad he’s got, but also building for the future. And I think he’s the right one to do it for Arsenal.”
Two Arsenal stars in contract talks
Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber could also earn new contracts at Arsenal, with both in advanced talks with the club.
Gabriel and William Saliba have signed new deals at Arsenal recently, as the Gunners look to ensure their best players remain at the Emirates.
Sporting director Andrea Berta looks to be having an impact off the pitch, and Arteta looks to be next to commit his future at Arsenal.