Arsenal currently tops the Premier League with a nine-point lead over Manchester City, though City has one game in hand. BBC Sport reported on Friday that the club has started talks with Arteta over a new contract, though the specific terms and timeline for conclusion remain unclear. Arteta's current contract expires in the summer of 2027, but he has indicated he does not want to focus on his extension at this time.
Arteta stated that there is no news about his contract and that the focus is entirely on upcoming matches, adding that he is fully committed to Arsenal and has big ambitions for the club. Arsenal will host AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday and face Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-final second leg next week, having won the first leg 1-0. It is uncertain how the contract situation might affect the team's performance in these upcoming matches.
Arteta joined Arsenal from Manchester City, where he was an assistant coach, after Unai Emery was fired at the end of November 2019 and Fredrik Ljungberg led the team for a few weeks. Under Arteta, Arsenal has achieved three straight second-place finishes in the Premier League.