Arsenal technical director Edu believes the club are poised for a “big summer” after Mikel Arteta signed a new long-term contract with the club.
On Friday, it was confirmed that Arteta, whose existing deal was set to expire in 2023, had agreed to an extension until the end of the 2024/25 campaign. The Spaniard is approaching the end of his second full season in charge, having replaced Unai Emery halfway through 19/20.
Arteta quickly became a fan favourite and guided the Gunners to the FA Cup just months after his appointment, beating Manchester City in the semis and then Chelsea in the final.
His second season was somewhat more tricky and ended with Arsenal missing out on European qualification for the first time this century. However, the club proved their commitment to the former Manchester City assistant by backing him in the most recent summer transfer window.
Arsenal were the biggest Premier League spenders ahead of the new season, bringing in six players at a cost of almost £150million. And after a bumpy start that investment has brought rewards, with the Gunners on the brink of a return to the Champions League. With just four games remaining, all they need to do is equal or better the results of Tottenham and they will secure a top-four place for the first time in the post-Arsene Wenger era.
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That upward trajectory has now been rewarded with a new deal, which Edu thinks has come at a great time to provide a major boost ahead of the run-in. “I think the timing is perfect,” he said. “I really believe the message will be a big lift to everyone. To the fans, to the club, to the players, to Mikel.”
Arteta has made it clear that he wants his squad to take the “next step” and begin truly challenging for trophies, pointing to the importance of returning to Europe’s top table in order to recruit the kinds of players needed.
“We want to take the club to the next level and to compete really with the top teams,” he explained. “In order to do that, we have to be playing in the Champions League.
"We have to be able to evolve the team, improve our players, improve all departments, generate even more connection with our fans, improve the atmosphere at the Emirates, be able to recruit top, top talent and the best people for this club to drive this project to that level.”
And Edu, who has helped oversee a remarkable turnaround in players since the end of the Emery era has hinted that there could be more change in the months ahead, adding: “It’s important to show everyone where we want to go as a club. We are going to face a big summer again and it’s important to have our manager here.”
Josh Kroenke said on behalf of him and his father Stan: “Mikel’s commitment and passion are clear for everyone to see. We are confident that as we move forward, he will get us back to competing for the top trophies in the game.”
