Mikel Arteta agrees new deal at Arsenal

This will give them a boost ahead of the derby.

The Spaniard was appointed manager of The Gunners back in December 2019 after the departure of Unai Emery. He had been working under Pep Guardiola at the time at Manchester City.

Arteta’s contract was set to expire at the end of this season but has signed a new three-year deal to keep him at the club until 2027.

In the 2019-20 season, Arteta led his team to FA Cup victory as he made an instant impact upon his arrival.

The former midfielder and captain managed his side to successive eighth-place finishes in the Premier League before they finished fifth in the 21-22 season.

The 42-year-old is immensely popular among fans, giving them hope in the previous two seasons, finishing second behind City as he looks to secure Arsenal’s first league title since 2003-04.

He also won the Community Shield in 2020 and 2023 and returned the side to the Champions League after a seven-year absence.

He is credited for rebuilding The Gunners, bringing in several youngsters such as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

He has won 139 of his 235 games in charge of the club, achieving his 100^th Premier League win in seven games fewer than Arsenal icon Arsene Wenger.

As a player, he made 150 appearances for The Gunners across five seasons, spending two of those as captain.

This weekend they will face Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby, and this news will no doubt give them a much-needed boost ahead of that clash.

The Gunners will be without Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino and Declan Rice due to injury and suspension.

However, Raheem Sterling, who joined Arsenal on-loan on transfer deadline day is expected to make his debut against Spurs.

Tottenham have suffered an injury blow of their own after Yves Bissouma picked up a knock during Mali’s 1-0 win over Eswatini on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old has impressed in Spurs last two games as he scored a stunner as Tottenham thrashed Everton 4-0.

Spurs host Arsenal at 2pm on Sunday 15 September.