Considering Arsenal’s recent plight with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the pending issues of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah’s deals, nobody could blame Mikel Arteta for banning the word ‘contract’ from his press conferences.
However, there was one contract which did not seem to phase the former Manchester City assistant – his own.
There was no uncomfortable shift in his chair or slight change in his expression as there often was with Aubameyang’s bitter departure from the club.
Instead, Arteta bared all about his present happiness and future ambitions with the north Londoners.
And now would be the perfect time for Arsenal to commit him to a new deal.
Should Arsenal commit Mikel Arteta to a new contract at the Emirates Stadium? Let us know in the comments
"It is just that I am really happy here and my aim is to build with the club a winning team that when we watch it feels identifiable and that can transmit what we want football-wise and as an organisation," Arteta said when asked if contract talks had taken place.
"I am happy with the direction we’re taking, but I’m not happy with where we are that is for sure because we want to be competing and challenging with the best teams in this league in consecutive seasons.
"We’re not there yet but I think the team is evolving in the right direction.
“The project and the phases that we proposed, they are happening and there are a lot positives but we are not there."
The good, the bad, and the ugly have all been seen at the Emirates this season.
From their worst start to a season for 67 years to strong contention for Champions League football for the first time since 2016, Arsenal’s developments have often been swift and steep.
It’s easy to forget that the footballing world, many in gest but some in abject terror, mentioned Arsenal in the same breath as relegation, after their 5-0 home loss to Manchester City.
But as they lurk behind fourth placed Manchester United while carrying two games in hand over Ralf Rangnick’s inconsistent Reds, they are now a danger for the top four.
Of course, merely taking part in the Champions League is barely the first glass ceiling to break in Arteta’s lofty ambitions for the club.
But for the first time in a very long time, the Gunners look more than capable of breaking it.
Arteta and technical director Edu have learned from Arsenal’s previous transfer mistakes, overhauling their buying strategy, and refreshing their sides with seven astute, young, and quality signings.
The likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Albert Sambi-Lokonga, and Nuno Tavares were almost unheard off before their arrivals, while albeit expensive purchases of Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale were widely met with derision and laughter throughout their rivals.
However, with a Premier League run of 13 wins, three draws and only four defeats in their last 20 Premier League matches, very few are laughing at the Gunners now.
If the Gunners continue to follow their transfer blueprint and recreate their recent magic with more clever additions across the pitch, they will surely be in contention for greater.
It is far too early to tip Arteta for Arsene Wenger like success, but the Spaniard has been resilient, ruthless, and most importantly, showed promising signs of improvement and continuity.
These are all beginning to reflect in Arsenal’s overall game and the improvements in players such as Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, Martin Odegaard, and Thomas Partey.
Potential, talent, and drive are all prominent in this Arsenal side – perhaps it is time to ensure the manager who brought this team together can further nurture and enhance their abilities.
