Mikel Arteta new contract: Arsenal owners optimistic of tying manager to new deal after Premier League win

Arsenal's Kroenke family owners have confirmed plans to offer manager Mikel Arteta a new contract as an "utmost priority".

Arteta's current terms are due to expire at the end of next season but the club are optimistic of tying him to a new deal after he ended their 22-year wait for a Premier League title.

"Keeping Mikel around is [an] utmost priority," said co-chair Josh Kroenke, who runs the club alongside his father Stan.

"I think the good news for Arsenal fans worldwide is he's enjoying the project, he's enjoying being here and, from his time as a player all the way up until now, he's an Arsenal man through and through."

Arsenal's title triumph completed a total transformation under Arteta and they have the chance to complete an historic double in Saturday's Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Kroenke added: "If there is a singular person you can trace this all back to, I'm going to give 100 per cent credit to Mikel, his staff and the players. Those are the ones.

"As much as Mikel is putting together our tactics, the players have got to go play the games, they've got to go and win for you."

Arteta has experienced highs and lows since his appointment, initially as head coach, in 2019, but he has always benefitted from a close relationship with the club's owners.

"There are times when Mikel and I joked have joked, 'Leadership can get pretty lonely,'" added Kroenke.

"So during the tough moments is when I try to be there, as opposed to the really good ones, letting him and our other people know that it might feel like you're alone at times, or you're on an island or you're going through this phase or this or that, but we've got your back."

The Kroenke family, whose sporting portfolio includes NFL side LA Rams and NBA outfit Denver Nuggets, also confirmed their intention to develop and expand the 60,704-capacity Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal's owners have expertise in the field having overseen the construction of the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, home to LA Rams and LA Chargers, which opened in 2020.