Mikel Arteta says he wants to be at Arsenal and will “resolve” his contract situation despite not yet extending his deal which expires in 2027.

The Arsenal manager’s last contract extension was a three-year deal signed in September 2024.

Entering a new season without fresh terms agreed, he said: “They (the fans) don’t have to worry about any of that, because I want to be here. I am extremely happy. 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.”

His current deal being confirmed in September was timely as it came after the transfer window closed and during the first international break of the season.

On whether the busy nature of the summer transfer window makes finalising a new contract more realistic after the deadline, he added: “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.

“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.”

Talks have been in progress since early this year, but when Arsenal first approached Arteta’s representatives, his preference was to wait until the end of the 2025-26 season.

The Arsenal manager not extending his contract until its final year is not unusual, as the one he signed in September 2024 was set to expire in 2025. His last two contracts have both been three-year deals.

Having been in the role since December 2019, Arteta is now the longest serving manager across the 92 teams in the English Football Leagues after Pep Guardiola, who Arteta was assistant to for three and a half years, left Manchester City this summer.

On managing to lift the Premier League with his mentor still in charge of his biggest rivals, after three years of finishing second place, Arteta added: “(It was) one of the probably biggest challenges that I have faced in my career. Because I know the standards, I know that they have the background, they have the stability. They had the quality to go and do it again.

Arteta guided Arsenal to the Premier League title last season. (Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League)

“So it’s been a real challenge. I took it in a way that, okay, regardless of what happens, this is going to make us better. It’s pushing boundaries time after time at every level and every department of the club to try to reach this level.

“When I arrived here, I had a sense in terms of distance and years how far we were behind. Because I was there and I could witness the daily operation and the level. And to be able to win it in the time that we’ve done it, I think we should feel proud of it.”

This season, Arsenal have the chance to do something they have not done in almost 90 years by retaining the league title. They begin their campaign next Friday at home to Coventry City, after facing Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday at the Principality Stadium.

Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are expected to be back with the squad for the game against the FA Cup winners.

Mikel Arteta has said that supporters “don’t have to worry about” his future at Arsenal as he wants to extend his contract and the time left on his deal is “not an issue”.

The Gunners boss is into the final 12 months of his agreement that he signed in 2024 but says he is relaxed about formal talks taking place regarding a renewal.

Arteta has been in charge of Arsenal since 2019 and led the club to their first Premier League title in 22 years last season.

Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday (15:00 BST) and Arteta was asked in his news conference about the concern some supporters may have given he is yet to agreed a new deal before the 2026-27 campaign kicks off.

“No, they don’t have to worry about any of that because I want to be here, I’m extremely happy,” Arteta said.

“I feel very grateful to work with the people that I work with and whenever we have the possibility we will resolve that and that’s it.”

The Gunners are attempting to build on their success of last season and strengthen their squad in the transfer window.

They were unsuccessful in their pursuit of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr but have signed midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, Greece international winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge and made Piero Hincapie’s loan move from Bayern Leverkusen into a permanent transfer for a combined £143.5m.

Goalkeeper Illan Meslier has also arrived on a free transfer from Leeds United while, from last season’s squad, Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Christian Norgaard have been moved on.

The Gunners remain interested in Aston Villa‘s Ezri Konsa or Jarell Quansah of Bayer Leverkusen as a further defensive reinforcement in the market following injuries to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.

With the transfer window open until 1 September, the feeling at the club is that finalising a contract can come at a quieter period in the season.

“There’s always another priority I think and that’s the way we’ve been treating it. Arteta added.

“I think because everybody feels comfortable that the time on the contract is not going to be an issue.

“I think because my will certainly is to be here and I’m very happy here.

“And my feeling from the club is is the same one so I think that’s why everybody doing it things in a really organic way.”

Arsenal also reached the Champions League final last season where they were beaten by Paris St-Germain and Arteta has repeatedly spoken of his ambition since that loss to take the Gunners to next level.

“I’m not going to talk about any individuals, obviously what I can tell you is the ambition of the club.” Arteta said.

“It’s big that we want to improve the squad, we want to evolve the squad in order to achieve that.

“We have obviously detected some areas that they can be strengthened and that’s what we are trying to do.”

Betfred Super League

Hull FC (6) 14

Tries: Batchelor, Barron, Martin Goals: Sezer

Castleford (12) 18

Tries: Atoni, Ravalawa, Hood Goals: Weaver 3

Castleford Tigers put their coaching problems aside as they beat Hull FC at the MKM Stadium to record only their third Super League away win of the season.

Boss Ryan Carr remains absent for personal reasons and former Huddersfield Giants number one Luke Robinson is cutting short a holiday to take training on Monday as their new assistant boss.

Cas, though, overcame all their difficulties as they scored tries through Renouf Atoni, Mikaele Ravalawa and Liam Hood and claimed the victory late on after trailing 14-12.

Hull were on a high after announcing Aussie legend Daly Cherry-Evans’ arrival next season but fell short, despite scoring through Joe Batchelor, Harvey Barron and Lewis Martin.

Castleford showed great professionalism in the face of all their off-field issues to score from their first attack after nine minutes when Atoni crashed over from close range through two Hull tackles, with Tom Weaver adding the two points.

The try spurred Castleford on and they deservedly added a second on 26 minutes, passing the ball along the line for winger Ravalawa to power over in the right-hand corner.

Hull were denied a score to haul themselves back into the game when Barron intercepted a pass and ran 90 yards to touch down, only for referee James Vella to rule it out for a late tackle by Batchelor.

Castleford added to the indignity when Weaver kicked a penalty to stretch the lead to 12-0 before the home side finally hit back four minutes before the interval.

This time Batchelor was the hero as he grounded Jake Arthur’s grubber kick, with Aidan Sezer adding the extras.

Hull continued their comeback in the 47th minute, thanks to another Arthur kick, and this time Davy Litten knocked it back for Barron to collect and crash over to cut Castleford’s lead to just two points.

The Tigers were creaking under pressure and the Black and Whites took the lead for the first time in the match when Martin went over in the left corner after 59 minutes for his fifth try in his last four games against Castleford.

To their immense credit, back came Castleford and hooker Hood managed to burrow his way over the line in the 68th minute to restore their lead, with Weaver kicking the two points to extend the lead.

They move up to ninth in the table, four points clear of Hull in 12th.

Hull FC: Moy; Barron, Litten, Romano, Martin; Arthur, Sezer; Ese’ese, Bourouh, Hill, Batchelor, O’Neill, Bell.

Interchanges: Cust, Lisone, Salabio, Sao; Kemp.

Castleford: Laulu-Togaga’e; Ravalawa, Mellor, Mapapalangi, Senior; Asi, Weaver; Atoni, Hood, Lawler, Lane, Hirst, Stimson.

Interchanges: Ashworth, Robb, Dupree, Brown; Hall.

Referee: James Vella.