Mikel Arteta agrees Arsenal contract extension – sources

Mikel Arteta has agreed a new three-year contract to remain as Arsenal manager, sources have told ESPN.

The 42-year-old’s contract was due to expire next summer, although he told ESPN in an exclusive interview on July 4 that he didn’t “predict any issues happening” when extension talks took place and last month added that all parties would address the situation when the transfer window closed.

Arsenal have always been confident that Arteta would commit his future to the club but the news will still come as a boost as they try to topple Manchester City and win their first Premier League title since 2004.

Sources added that the Spaniard will receive a significant increase on his existing £9 million-a-year ($11.7m) salary.

Arsenal have finished second to City in each of the past two seasons and sought to close the gap by adding Riccardo Calafiori and  Mikel Merino over the summer, in addition to the late loan arrival of Raheem Sterling from Chelsea.

Sources have told ESPN that Arteta played a prominent role in convincing those players to join the club, underlining how integral he has become to Arsenal’s pursuit of success.

On Sunday, they travel to Tottenham for the north London derby while facing significant problems in midfield, with Merino already ruled out due to a fractured shoulder, Declan Rice suspended and  Martin Ødegaard facing a spell on the sidelines.

Odegaard was pictured on crutches flying back to London after sustaining an ankle injury on international duty with Norway, and sources have told ESPN he is likely to miss Sunday’s game and could be set for a spell beyond that on the sidelines.

Norway doctor Ola Sand told Norwegian newspaper VG that Odegaard had not suffered a fracture, adding: “Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus and then it can take longer.”

Arsenal have a big week ahead with a trip to Spurs the first of three away games comprising a Champions League trip to Atalanta on Thursday, followed by a visit to Premier League champions City.