Mikel Arteta speaks candidly about his future at Arsenal

Coach Mikel Arteta affirms his wish to stay with Arsenal, yet stresses that his future depends on genuinely “deserving” the confidence of the club.

Marking exactly six years since being appointed Arsenal head coach, Arteta remains firm in his philosophy: success must be proven day by day. The Spanish manager states he wants to stay at Emirates long-term, but insists everything “must be earned through effort and results.”

Arteta currently has 18 months left on his Arsenal contract. Since taking charge in 2019, he has transformed the team, winning the 2020 FA Cup and consistently keeping the club competitive in the Premier League title race. “Could I stay beyond 2027? Possibly, but that depends on today. Every coach has to earn the right to stay. It’s about how you respond, how you communicate, how you gain players’ trust,” Arteta shared.

He believes a coach’s success is not just about tactics or trophies but also about maintaining trust within the dressing room. “You walk into the dressing room, talk to them, and whether they listen says it all. Over the past six years, I’ve been lucky to have players who are focused, hungry, and eager to learn,” Arteta added.

Arteta also revealed a good relationship with the club’s board and owners but emphasized that the key factor remains the players’ commitment. “Ultimately, the most important are the players on the pitch. They decide the team’s success,” he said.

When asked about core players like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice negotiating new contracts, Arteta said players often inquire about his future: “They do ask, and I’m honest with them. I don’t know for sure. It doesn’t depend entirely on me. But I still feel happy, energized, and confident I can keep pushing the club forward.”

Under Arteta, Arsenal is gradually returning to genuine title contender status. But as he admits himself, “At Arsenal, you have to win every day to deserve to stay.”