Arsenal are confident of a new long-term contract for manager Mikel Arteta with the Spaniard in his final year at the Emirates

Arsenal remain confident that Mikel Arteta will commit to their long-term future at the Emirates, talkSPORT understands.

The Spaniard, who took charge of the Gunners In December 2019, he entered the final year of his contract in North London.

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talkSPORT reported in May that Arsenal were willing to offer Arteta a extraordinary salary increase making him their highest-paid coach in history.

With the new 2024/25 season underway, some Arsenal fans are nervous that their former captain could leave next year.

But talkSPORT understands that is not the case, and club chiefs believe it is just a question of when, rather than if, he signs new terms.

Both Arsenal and Arteta They have been relaxed about their situation and believe they are in no hurry to finalise a deal.

Arteta has repeatedly stated that he sees his future at Arsenal as he looks to guide the club to its first Premier League title since the Invincible in 2004.

Speaking about his situation last month, he said: “There is no update (on his contract) at the moment.

“What hasn't changed is how happy I am and how valued I feel here and how much I love representing this club.

“Things happen naturally and our relationship is so good that I don't think any problems will arise.

“But things have to evolve in the right way and that will happen.”

He had previously said: “We have a great relationship with everyone at the football club. I'm very happy where I am and things will sort themselves out.”

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Arteta, who won the FA Cup in his first season in charge, has led Arsenal to two consecutive second-place finishes in the league.

Arsenal finished last season with 89 points (their second-highest tally), as well as winning the most games in their history (28) and scoring the most goals (91).

For Arteta, his focus now will be on preparing his side for Saturday's clash at Aston Villa, a ground they lost 1-0 to last season.

And Arteta could soon be joined by a new signing, with Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino the one in the mix.

Talks are at an advanced stage between the two teams, with the 28-year-old set to return to England after a season at Newcastle.

With Merino seemingly on his way in, Hale End graduates Eddie Nketiah and Charlie Patino look set to head to Nottingham Forest and Deportivo La Coruna respectively.

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