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There really isn’t much debate about this anymore, is there? As Arsenal prepare for the final ten matches of the Premier League season, focus is slowly being shifted towards what will follow.
In Mikel Arteta’s mind that won’t be of great concern to him. As he has done throughout the Gunners’ pursuit of the top four, stressing the importance of taking one game at a time and basking in no plaudits has been rule number one.
Some plans towards player recruitment in the summer and the renewal of contracts to key stars will have had some thought, of course, but when it comes to his own future he will be happy to let that take a backseat.
Under contract until 2023, there is already plenty of speculation surrounding the preparation of a new deal, one that will see him tied down for a further three years, with around a 60% pay rise.
3 reasons to Arsenal to give Mikel Arteta a new contract with new three-year deal being readied along with pay rise
Should it wait until the summer? If asked this question a few months ago the answer probably would have been yes. What if Arsenal don’t even finish in the Premier League top six this season and the club have just given Arteta another three years at the helm?
There is that.
But on the other hand, there is little reason not to get his signature penned on fresh terms. It’s been one hell of a journey already in just a few years, and it should be allowed to continue, regardless of top four.
While it could all still blow up, the case for Arteta getting a new contract is a solid one.
1. Mikel Arteta Keeps Improving
Arteta has made mistakes throughout his time at the club. A lot of mistakes. Some still cut deep and others required therapy to quieten, but he is learning is craft and, crucially, it’s clear he’s developing as a coach and as a manager.
There are still faults to his management, such as his handling of a big squad and the constant flip-flopping of his opinion on certain players. Some elements he may never perfect. What he is improving on, though, is his in-game management, meritocratic nature, and flexibility. Most aspects, in fact.
Willian was allowed to be dreadful for too long. Substitutions were too late in being made. Tactical deficiencies would play out for weeks on end with Arteta refusing to budge on that which was impacting results and performances.
Having committed to a first-time manager, one who would have all the teething issues and more in a job that not only is his first, but is also one of gigantic stature, was in a state of disarray and became increasingly tough amid a global pandemic, to move away from him now would be bizarre strategy.
It’s a bit like a reverse Marilyn Monroe: “if you can handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell do deserve me at my best.”
Something like that, anyway.
Trudging through the mediocrity of mid-table to where Arsenal are now, Arteta keeps fine-tuning his coaching and management, appears more comfortable in the role and is proving himself to be highly skilled modern coach with sustainable and clear style of play.
And, he’s only getting better.
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2. Building for the Future – Talent ID
This point needs a caveat: Arteta has signed some absolute dross during his tenure. Some will question how much of that was Edu’s doing, but the Spaniard still had to sign off on the likes of Alex Runarsson, Willian and Cedric, so he’s very culpable.
Which makes it remarkable that the permanent signing of Willian and then the previous summer were just 24 months apart. That’s two recruitment entirely different strategies employed in the space of just two years. The club turned it around.
What has been built now is a team for the present, but whom will not reach their peaks for a number of years. That’s exceptional squad building and elite talent ID. Nobody could have foreseen the impressions so many of the recent summer’s arrivals have made.
It was only Real Sociedad who wanted Martin Odegaard, Manchester United should have gone for Benjamin White, probably Aaron Ramsdale too, and yet these ‘backups’ have come to Arsenal and been magnificent. They weren’t names jumping off the page.
Look at Tomiyasu, who was ‘offered to every club in Europe’, arriving and being outstanding in his debut season. Edu wanted to sign Emerson Royal (many did) and Neto, with Arteta overruling him and getting Tomi and Aaron. He knew what he was doing.
And despite making mistakes previously and spending a lot of money overall, he’s still yet to acquire any forwards, with the exception of Willian.
This team will pop with a new centre-forward and there is no reason not to trust Arteta and co on who they bring in. What this team is and what this team will become is reason in itself to back the man at the helm.
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3. This is Fun – We Want to See More
Ask one simple question: do you want to see more of this? If the answer is yes, then you needn’t look too much further.
This project is gripping. It’s fun. On a weekly basis fans are witnessing an effervescent crop of emerging young stars play a brand of football that’s entertaining and impressionable. Everything about this group is engaging, and you’d happily pay the price of admission to go see this team every week.
Add to that the atmosphere that is being cultivated, the togetherness and the spirit, and it’s hard to see why anyone would want change at this present time. The prospect of new signings and seeing this team develop further is exciting. Arteta is a huge part of this.
It may be that top four is missed out on this season – it would be an almighty shock if there would be no European football at all, although not out of the question – and that it all derails rapidly over the coming weeks. Does anyone believe that, though? And would the tangible signs of progress be discounted for a sudden collapse?
The love for Arsenal is undying, yet in recent months it’s grown stronger than previously thought imaginable. The bond is even greater and as this team and this manager embark on their journey, as a fan you want to be there every step of the way.