Mikel Arteta has dropped the clearest hint yet that he will sign a new contract at Arsenal, stressing that he does not believe there “could be any problems” in the talks.
The 42-year-old's existing contract expires in the summer of 2025 and it was originally expected that negotiations would take place at the end of last season.
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However, all parties have instead prioritised planning for next season and Arteta has assembled nine players not involved in Euro 2024 or the Copa América for a summer training camp in Marbella.
In an exclusive interview with ESPN from the Spanish city, Arteta 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 expect there to be any problems. But things have to go in the right direction and then it will happen.”
Asked if clarity about his future would help demonstrate stability for future signings, Arteta replied: “I understand that, but the focus now is on, 'OK, how can we improve things around the team, how can we improve things in the transfer window that we have.' We have time to sit down and discuss that.”
Sources have revealed to ESPN that Arsenal are keeping an eye on Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori but have not yet made any new moves in the market.
The north London club had shown interest in Benjamin Sesko before the Slovenian striker signed a new contract to stay at RB Leipzig.
Mikel Arteta was originally expected to sign a new contract at the end of the season. Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Asked if Arsenal were in the market for another attacking player, Arteta said: “We want to improve in every possible department. With the new regulations there are certain things that we have to respect and take into account and then of course the Euros and the Copa America put a brake on everything. Hopefully things will be a bit better now because we still have a lot to do and we will try to deliver.”
“[How active do we expect to be?] I think both. There are things we need to improve, that's for sure, and we will try to do that. But the market is tricky. We have been very aggressive, we are very determined and we obviously have a clear idea of what we want to do. It will be a matter of finding the right arrangements at the right time.”
Arsenal will begin their pre-season against Bournemouth on July 24.
Later this month, Arteta's side will travel to Los Angeles to face Manchester United at SoFi Stadium on July 27 and Liverpool in Philadelphia on July 31.
