Arsenal Men and Women’s managers, Mikel Arteta and Jonas Eidevall have both jointly signed new contracts to stay in charge of the Gunners.
Arteta has signed a new three-year contract to stay in charge of the Men’s team until end of 2024-25 season, having arrived at the his former playing club in December 2019 following Unai Emery’s sacking after a dismal run of form.
The Spaniard proceeded to guide the club to that season’s FA Cup title but success has eluded Arteta since then, as he focused on rebuilding the squad with particular focus on youth which has led to players like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah becoming first-team regulars.
Speaking about his future ambitions now he has committed his future to the club, Arteta said: “We want to take the club to the next level and to compete really with the top teams. In order to do that, we have to be playing in the Champions League.”
Arteta also spoke about the importance of progress both on and off the pitch in order to help the club “evolve”, especially in regards to current and future players, crowd atmosphere at home matches and across all departments within the club.
Eidevall meanwhile will remain in charge of the Women’s team until end of 2023-24 season after signing a new two-year contract, having enjoyed a successful rookie campaign as a Women’s Super League manager which has seen him take Arsenal to the cusp of the WSL title.
Arsenal though must beat West Ham on Sunday 8 May and hope Chelsea fail to beat Manchester United if the Gunners are to clinch the WSL title.
Speaking about his decision to extend his stay in North London, Eidevall described it as a “great” decision and added: “It allows me to continue to work for a club that I love so much and be around people that I really, really like, and to be able to achieve things together, so I’m really looking forward to that.”
Josh Kroenke spoke on behalf of club owners, Kroenke, Sports & Entertainment in which he iterated that these new contracts will enable solid foundations for the club to advance into the future as he said: “It provides stability and clarity for the future and helps us all move forward together effectively.”
Paying tribute to Arteta’s work since he arrived at the club as manager, Kroenke commented: “Mikel’s commitment and passion are clear for everyone to see. We are confident that as we move forward, he will get us back to competing for the top trophies in the game.”
Kroenke meanwhile had high praise for Eidevall’s work with the Women’s team in just one season as he added: “He has done a terrific job with the team, and we are in contention for the title on the last weekend. We are confident that he will continue to take us forward in the years ahead.”
Chief Executive, Vinai Venkatesham meanwhile insists that this joint announcement is a mark of Arsenal’s “ambition” to get back to fighting for domestic and European trophies across both sides of the sport.
Venkatesham though admitted that the team still need to improve in order to achieve huge success as he added: “That’s where we want to get to, we know we’re not there yet, but we’re moving towards that goal. I’m hoping everyone can see the progress that we’re starting to make against that goal.”
Urging patience from the fans, Venkatesham confirmed that the task ahead won’t be a short-term challenge as he explained: “There’s a long way to go and a lot of hard work ahead, but with Mikel and Jonas, we’re convinced we have the right people surrounded by the teams around them that can help us get there.”