Mikel Arteta has agreed a new three-year contract to remain as Arsenal manager, sources have told ESPN.
The 42-year-old's contract was due to expire next summer, although he told ESPN in an exclusive interview on July 4 that he did not “predict any issues happening” when extension talks took place and added last month that all parties would address the situation when the transfer window closed.
Arsenal have always been confident that Arteta would commit his future to the club, but the news will still come as a boost as they bid to defeat Manchester City and win their first Premier League title since 2004.
Sources added that the Spaniard will receive a significant increase on his current salary of £9 million a year (US$11.7 million).
Arsenal have finished second behind City in each of the last two seasons and looked to close the gap by bringing in Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino in the summer, plus the late loan arrival of Raheem Sterling from Chelsea.
Sources have told ESPN that Arteta played a prominent role in convincing those players to join the club, underlining how central he has become to Arsenal's quest for success.
They travel to Tottenham on Sunday for the north London derby while facing significant midfield issues, with Merino already ruled out due to a broken shoulder, Declan Rice suspended and Martin Ødegaard facing a spell on the sidelines.
Odegaard was pictured on crutches as he flew back to London after suffering an ankle injury during an international match with Norway, and sources have told ESPN he is likely to miss Sunday's game and could be sidelined for a further period.
Norwegian doctor Ola Sand told Norwegian newspaper VG that Odegaard had not suffered any fractures, adding: “These types of ankle injuries usually take at least three weeks to heal. Everything else is just an add-on and then it can take longer.”
Arsenal have a big week ahead with a trip to Spurs, the first of three away games comprising a Champions League trip to Atalanta on Thursday, followed by a visit to Premier League champions City.
