Arteta to open contract talks when transfer window shuts

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he will open talks about a new contract with the club once the transfer window has closed.

Arteta’s current contract expires at the end of this season but talks are not expected to be a problem and the 42-year-old has a good relationship with the club’s hierarchy.

“The focus has been on the transfer window,” Arteta said.

“We had quite a lot of things to do and discuss. We are on it and we will take care of that in the right moment.”

The Spaniard has been Arsenal manager since 2019 and has led the team to second-place finishes in the last two Premier League seasons.

“I am very grateful first of all for where I’m sitting and the people I work with every single day because it’s really difficult to find that harmony, trust, belief and alignment in the vision,” Arteta said.

“It’s something I always mention because I believe we still have an unbelievable time ahead of us. It’s very exciting and I am very excited about it.”

The Gunners have been active in the transfer market, signing Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori in a deal worth £42m and selling Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham for a fee that could reach £34m.

They are pursuing Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino and have agreed a deal in principle, while forward Eddie Nketiah is in talks with Nottingham Forest about moving to the City Ground.

Arteta would not be drawn on the specifics of either deal but spoke about how the club must be ready to do business.

“We have to because anything can happen both ways,” he said.

“You have to be ready and especially in the last week [of the transfer window]. You have to be alert and prepared because a lot of surprises can come, for many different reasons and we are prepared.”

The transfer window closes on Friday, 30 August.