Why Pep Guardiola new contract is good and bad news for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has learned that he will have to do battle with former master Pep Guardiola for at least another 18 months after agreeing to ink a 12-month renewal.

The 53-year-old’s new deal sees him extend his stay until 2026 but with the option for an extra year. Arteta, who spent two years as Guardiola’s assistant at Man City between 2016 and 2018, has yet to get the better of his former colleague in a Premier League title race.

Arsenal have finished runners-up to Man City over the past two seasons, only losing out by two points in the 2023/24 campaign. The Gunners are currently four points behind the champions this season and some nine points off leaders Liverpool.

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They have also unexpectedly lost sporting director Edu, who was a key ally for Arteta throughout his reign. He oversaw the arrival of the likes of Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice.

The staying of Guardiola only emphasises the challenge the club faces in trying to get over the line to end their 20-year barren streak for a title. His contract renewal at City means several things for Arteta and Arsenal.

Arsenal get Arteta clarity

There might have been mumblings that City would try and pinch Arteta from Arsenal should Guardiola have left. The Spaniard knows the club from his time at the Etihad Stadium and obviously is a disciple of Guardiola’s.

Ruben Amorim was a potential target for Man City before Manchester United swooped in, and it's possible Arteta might have been on the radar, despite recent spiky comments.

In response to claims over Arsenal's ‘dark arts’ game-management tactics in the 2-2 draw with City in September, he said: “I have been there before, I was there for four years. I have all the information. So I know. Believe me.”

Distance has been growing between the two clubs ever since the Gunners emerged as serious title contenders in recent years. Whether City might have gone for Arteta is irrelevant now anyway, in light of Guardiola’s renewal.

Striker requirement

What has become clear in recent games is Arsenal’s need for a goal-getter. The Gunners refrained from acquiring one this summer despite intense speculation and exit of Eddie Nketiah.

The club handed out a number of thrashings last season with Kai Havertz leading the line, which perhaps glossed over the true need for a natural nine. Man City have Erling Haaland and Liverpool have several options in the role - meanwhile, Arsenal look short.

Arsenal have scored just one goal in their last three matches and have not won in the Premier League in more than a month, the common denominator being that Havertz has failed to score in the four fixtures since.

The team are already at a critical point in their title chase as a result. The new sporting director cannot afford to dawdle again in their hunt for an attacker next year, be it January or the summer.

Competition for transfers and trophies

Man City convincing Guardiola to stay means the enticement for players to move to the Blues remains evermore high. Of course, the legal battle with the Premier League will have an impact, given the possible punishment could be relegation.

But should Man City come out as innocent, then the club will retain their luring status. Guardiola’s exit would have cast a cloud of doubt over the minds of players targeted by the Blues.

That possibility is now extinguished and out of the three title chasers, Arsenal are arguably behind Man City in the transfer pecking order. This might have been the case should Guardiola have left, but the gap would have been much more narrow.

The other obvious bad piece of news is that Guardiola is a serial winner. Arteta’s tenure will ultimately be judged on silverware and Man City provide a major obstacle in the pursuit of that.

Arteta is capable of overcoming that challenge but must act accordingly to dethrone his former overhead.