Mikel Arteta makes decision on Arsenal future ahead of contract expiry

Mikel Arteta is said to have agreed terms with Arsenal over a new contract running until 2027.

The Spaniard's current deal in the Emirates Stadium dugout is due to expire at the end of this season, which raised questions in some quarters over his and the club's commitment to their current project.

However, The Athletic report an extension to Arteta's contract is in place, and an official announcement to follow will end speculation regarding his future.

Arteta has had a transformative effect on Arsenal since returning to the club as a head coach towards the end of 2019, leading a struggling Gunners side to the FA Cup during his first season in charge.

In the summer of 2020, Arteta's job title was changed from head coach to manager, though on-field hopes in the short term simmered after recording successive eighth-place finishes in the Premier League.

But over the next three years, Arsenal re-established themselves as one of England's best teams.

They were narrowly pipped to fourth place and a return to the UEFA Champions League in 2021/22 by rivals Tottenham Hotspur, before mounting an unlikely title charge the following year. Though leading the table for 248 days of the season - a record number without actually winning the Premier League - they were beaten to top spot by Manchester City.

Last season, Arsenal's title hopes went to the wire as they finished just a point behind City, who rallied for their fourth straight league title - the first team to do so in English history.

In addition to performances on the pitch, Arteta has also been credited, in tandem with sporting director Edu, with Arsenal's marked improvement in recruiting in recent years.

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