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Arsenal are said to be on the verge of "finalizing an agreement" with head coach Mikel Arteta to extend his stay at the club.
The Spanish tactician has been nothing short of revolutionary for the Gunners over the past seven years, serving as the driving force behind their remarkable revival. Not only did he lead them to their first Premier League crown in 22 years last season, but he also orchestrated only the club's second-ever appearance in a Champions League final.
Unsurprisingly, securing Arteta's future has been a top priority for Arsenal's hierarchy, with his existing deal set to expire at the end of the current season. Nevertheless, a new agreement appears to be within reach.
BBC Sport reports that "discussions have progressed significantly of late" following the close of the summer transfer window, and there is "complete confidence" within the club that the Spaniard will put pen to paper on a renewal.
In August, Arteta moved to ease concerns surrounding the drawn-out contract talks, stating: "Everybody feels comfortable that the timing of the contract is not going to be an issue because my will certainly is to be here and I'm very happy here."
The 44-year-old is set to receive a substantial pay rise upon signing his new deal, which would place him among the highest-earning managers in world football. He currently earns $13.5 million per season, along with a $6.8 million bonus for Champions League qualification.
Arteta at the Forefront of Transfer Activity
A key reason behind Arteta's desire to commit his future to the club is the degree of authority and influence he holds at the Emirates Stadium. The report describes him as the club's "most influential figure" and highlights that his involvement in how the club is run is equally significant.
Every major decision passes through the Spaniard, including those related to player recruitment. He sits at the heart of the club's transfer operations—and this past summer was no exception.
Arteta was reportedly at the "forefront of the club's charm offensive" in ultimately unsuccessful pursuits of Vinícius Júnior and Julián Alvarez.
Signings such as Bruno Guimarães, Christos Tzolis and Ezri Konsa were all greenlit by Arteta, as were the departures of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
A Roster Built in Arteta's Image
Arteta has assembled a seasoned, industrious squad, enabling him to place a strong emphasis on defensive organization and match control. Any rivals hoping Arsenal would ease off the throttle will have been left sorely disappointed early in the new campaign.
The Gunners have claimed victory in all four of their competitive outings and also got their season underway with a commanding win over Manchester City in the Community Shield. They have conceded just once throughout those matches, allowing an expected goals total of only 0.9 in Premier League fixtures against Coventry City, Aston Villa and Chelsea.
Their capacity to dominate games has been central to their rise, further bolstered by last season's triumph. Having finally clinched the Premier League title after a string of near misses, a considerable burden has clearly been lifted from the squad.
That said, Arteta's side is far from flawless, and the attacking department remains the most obvious area of concern. While it is stocked with technically gifted players, it still falls short of the clinical edge possessed by many of Europe's elite teams.
Wastefulness in front of goal has been a recurring issue for Arsenal even amid their successes, and Wednesday's narrow victory over Napoli offered yet another illustration of how it can prove costly. Despite generating 4.05 xG, they managed just a single goal in their Champions League opener.
The absence of a truly elite striker in Arsenal's attack appears to be the only stumbling block standing between them and further glory this season.