Mikel Arteta: Arsenal boss agrees new contract until 2027

BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella

Arsenal have successfully become a force again under manager Mikel Arteta, and a new three-year deal represents a firm backing that he is the man to end the club’s wait of more than 20 years for a Premier League title.

It felt like there was little chance he would leave when his contract expired next summer, given the relationships he has built internally and the reassuring calm with which he spoke when discussing the deal.

But previous links to Paris St-Germain and Barcelona perhaps showed the need to tie down Arteta.

The whole machinery at Arsenal behind the scenes is behind both Arteta and sporting director Edu, who have found a way to be competitive against the Manchester City juggernaut – running them close to the title last season.

They also went close in the 2022-23 campaign, but it is now time to take the final step.

After signing Raheem Sterling, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori the Gunners have again strengthened, though question marks have remained over whether they should have signed a striker.

This is a manager, squad and backroom staff seemingly now capable of winning the biggest titles in England, and it is perhaps symbolic that a new deal comes before a north London derby against Tottenham.