Mikel Arteta's new deal runs to 2030, and Ed Aarons argues in The Guardian that it shows where the power at Arsenal sits. His title changed from head coach to manager on 10 September 2020, reflecting a wider remit. There's "no doubting the Spaniard's influence at the club", Aarons writes, from transfers to stadium works.
Even the dog. Sources close to Win, the labrador who starred in May's title celebrations, say her favourite human is Arteta. I'd trust that over most transfer gossip.
Arteta has shown more appetite for risk this season, according to BBC News, but standing still would be the bigger gamble for a side trying to stay on top. That case hangs on his answer to the 3-0 defeat at Brighton on 19 September, Arsenal's heaviest since May 2023. If Aarons is right, a manager whose reach runs from signings to stadium works has nobody to hide behind when a side goes stale, so reinventing matters more than the contract.
Arsenal Women striker Selina Cerci has pulled out of Germany's friendlies against Japan and Australia. Germany list her as out "due to knee problems". She's played 40 minutes for Arsenal since joining in July. Mariona Caldentey is already out of Spain's squad after going off with a hamstring injury in Sunday's 4-2 defeat at Manchester City.
The club published 34 photos of the squad back in training on 8 October, ahead of Leeds at home on Saturday.
The U21s are back on Saturday too, at home to Sunderland, who've won their last two in Premier League 2. Three draws and a defeat from four leave them waiting for a first league win. Maalik Hashi and Emerson Nwaneri trained with them from the U18s this week. I'd play both on Saturday. The U19s face Lille in the Youth League next week.
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