Arteta Dismisses Contract Concerns Ahead of Manchester City Clash

On the eve of a season-opening showdown with Manchester City in Cardiff, Mikel Arteta cut a calm figure in front of the cameras, brushing aside any suggestion of urgency over his own future.

Co-chairman Josh Kroenke had publicly labelled a new deal for Arteta a “top priority” back in May. The message from the head coach now is clear: nobody around the club should be losing sleep over it.

“They [the fans] don't have to worry about any of that, because I want to be here. I am extremely happy,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference. “I feel very grateful to work with the people that I work with and when we have the possibility, we will resolve that. And that's it.”

No drama. No countdown clock. For Arteta, the real work lies elsewhere.

He made it plain that the club’s energy is locked on the squad, not signatures on his contract. “There is always another priority, I think! And that's the way we have been treating it, I think because everybody feels comfortable that the time on the contract is not going to be an issue.”

The message from the manager’s side and the boardroom appears to be moving in the same direction. Arteta stressed that his stance is mirrored by those above him.

“I think because my will, certainly, is to be here and I am very happy here. My feeling from the club is the same one. That is why everyone is doing things in a really organic way.”

With Manchester City waiting in Cardiff and the season about to ignite, Arteta’s contract saga is being kept firmly in the background. The focus, as he wants it, is on the pitch.