Mikel Arteta has said that supporters “don’t have to worry about” his future at Arsenal as he wants to extend his contract and the time left on his deal is “not an issue”.
The Gunners boss is into the final 12 months of his agreement that he signed in 2024 but says he is relaxed about formal talks taking place regarding a renewal.
Arteta has been in charge of Arsenal since 2019 and led the club to their first Premier League title in 22 years last season.
Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday (15:00 BST) and Arteta was asked in his news conference about the concern some supporters may have given he is yet to agreed a new deal before the 2026-27 campaign kicks off.
“No, they don’t have to worry about any of that because I want to be here, I’m extremely happy,” Arteta said.
“I feel very grateful to work with the people that I work with and whenever we have the possibility we will resolve that and that’s it.”
The Gunners are attempting to build on their success of last season and strengthen their squad in the transfer window.
They were unsuccessful in their pursuit of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr but have signed midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, Greece international winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge and made Piero Hincapie’s loan move from Bayern Leverkusen into a permanent transfer for a combined £143.5m.
Goalkeeper Illan Meslier has also arrived on a free transfer from Leeds United while, from last season’s squad, Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Christian Norgaard have been moved on.
The Gunners remain interested in Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa or Jarell Quansah of Bayer Leverkusen as a further defensive reinforcement in the market following injuries to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.
With the transfer window open until 1 September, the feeling at the club is that finalising a contract can come at a quieter period in the season.
“There’s always another priority I think and that’s the way we’ve been treating it. Arteta added.
“I think because everybody feels comfortable that the time on the contract is not going to be an issue.
“I think because my will certainly is to be here and I’m very happy here.
“And my feeling from the club is is the same one so I think that’s why everybody doing it things in a really organic way.”
Arsenal also reached the Champions League final last season where they were beaten by Paris St-Germain and Arteta has repeatedly spoken of his ambition since that loss to take the Gunners to next level.
“I’m not going to talk about any individuals, obviously what I can tell you is the ambition of the club.” Arteta said.
“It’s big that we want to improve the squad, we want to evolve the squad in order to achieve that.
“We have obviously detected some areas that they can be strengthened and that’s what we are trying to do.”