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Josh Kroenke and Edu reveal fresh Arsenal ambition after contract announcement

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
-Credit: (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)


Josh Kroenke and Edu Gaspar remain fully committed to Mikel Arteta as Arsenal head coach after the former midfielder penned a new three-year deal at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta, who has just started his fifth full season as manager, had been out of contract next summer.

It comes after the Gunners went closer than ever to breaking their 20-year wait to win the Premier League title last year. Arteta has led Arsenal to consecutive second-place finishes, racking up 173 points over the past two seasons, only falling short to Manchester City on both occasions.

The Spaniard has also taken Arsenal back into the Champions League following seven years out of the competition. The call to finally tie him down after months of speculation over a possible switch to former club Manchester City, as well as reports linking him to Barcelona.

Arteta and Arsenal are aligned in their plans moving forward though. Upon the announcement, Sorting Director Edu said, “We are really happy that Mikel has signed a new long-term contract."

He continued: It’s a very positive and proud moment for everyone at the club and an important part of what we’re all working towards. Mikel has shown his qualities since the very first day he joined us, not only as a football manager, but as a person with wonderful values.

"We have a strong belief in what we are doing and what we want to achieve together. Mikel’s new contract gives us stability and clear direction as we aim for new heights.”

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Kroenke, who has more of a day-to-day involvement than his father, Stan, echoed the same thoughts, offering a vision into the future. “We’re delighted to have extended Mikel’s contract," he said.

"Mikel is a dynamic and passionate manager, who is relentless in the pursuit of excellence. He has a deep understanding of Arsenal’s values, and since joining us as Head Coach in December 2019, he has taken the team to another level in an Arsenal way.

“There is a great collective team spirit at the club, and with the strong relationships we hold between us and belief in what we do, we look forward with excitement and confidence, as we continue our aim – to win together.”

Kroenke's effective promotion to vice-chair has coincided with improvement on and off the field for Arsenal, a project led by Arteta and Edu in tandem. This has seen the club overhaul their playing squad with a group of hungry, young players all tied down on their own long-term contracts.

Arsenal are now aiming to go one better in the Premier League as well as advancing beyond the quarter-finals in Europe. Arteta will also have desires to add domestic trophies to his cabinet having so far only won the FA Cup in his first season in charge.