Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta near agreement on contract extension

Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta are nearing a formal agreement on a contract extension. Negotiations between the two parties have reached an advanced stage, with both sides expecting to conclude the deal in the near future. Arteta is currently set to become a free agent at the end of the current season. The club views the manager as a central figure in their long-term project and intends to reward his consistent performance with a new deal. Arsenal has consistently backed Arteta in the transfer market, and the club aims to maintain the current momentum by securing his leadership. Both the manager and the organization have expressed a mutual desire to continue their partnership.

• 2:00 PMYahoo Sports — Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are close to an agreement over a new contract