Mikel Arteta has admitted that his contract negotiations with Arsenal are pending – and at the moment, he could not have less interest. As the Arsenal manager is within touching distance of a Premier League title and a semi-final in the Champions League awaits, the thought of winning is in his mind.
And at the right time, Arsenal have been given a boost. Eberechi Eze is in the back.
Arteta: The Whole Concentration Is on What We Have to Do.
Arsenal have nine point lead over the top of the premier league and seven games to go. They are also at the semi-finals of the champions league having won the first leg in Sporting Lisbon 1-0. Now is not the time to discuss contracts–and Arteta knows it.
In an interview before the weekend game, Arteta dismissed any news of contract talks and said: There is news on that, we do not have time to talk about that at the moment, the whole concentration is on what we have to do until the end of the season.
His message was well understood. Results are not the point at this time.
Then Arteta took it a step further and there was no doubt about his dedication to the club.
He said: I am not going anywhere. I am really happy and I feel good. Family is good. I still have a lot of ambition and work to do here at this club. At least, we are in a good place.
It is the voice of an imprisoned manager. Focused. Driven. Untroubled with own business.
Contract Situation: What We Know.
The contract that Arteta has presently has a time frame of less than 12 months and preliminary talks about extending his contract have been explained to be moving in a good direction.
According to the sources, none of the parties believes that the time has come, and negotiations should resume in the close season.
It is being reported that Arteta wants guarantees that Arsenal will still support him in transfer market Sky Sports – which is understandable given that this manager has created something special at the Emirates.
The big picture is simple. The club and Arteta are interested in working together. Ambition and money are in line. The doubt is when, not whether, – and everybody is content that that can wait till summer.
Eze Returns: A Great Reprieve at the opportune time.
The contract story was headlined but the most significant news of the week in Arsenal was at the training ground.
Eberechi Eze, the last player to appear on the team sheet in the 2-0 defeat of Bayer Leverkusen last month, has been made available earlier than expected due to a calf injury and has been confirmed to play Bournemouth this weekend.
Arteta revealed that Eze’s determination played a big part in his swift return.
The boss said: He is free. He has [been ahead of schedule]. When I first spoke with him after he felt a niggle he wished to be free the coming week, we knew that could not be done.
The mentality of Eze can be summed up in that determination. He did not sit back and wait. He worked hard and returned early. Arsenal needed that.
Why the Return of Eze is So Important.
Arsenal have been dealing with an injury crisis, as of late multiple key players are missing or performing at less than 100 percent.
Arteta had also been optimistic that Buka
yo Saka would be fit to play in the Bournemouth game, and Jurrien Timber, too, has been progressing towards full fitness.
As these absences accumulate, the early reentry of Eze offers Arteta true choices in the third attacking third.
The England international is a creativity, directness and energy; a must when you are on a title run in where there is no room to take a chance.
Each fit player is valuable at this point. Each training session counts. The coming back of Eze is not only good news. It could prove to be decisive.
The Road Ahead: Title and European Glory in View.
On Saturday, Arsenal have Bournemouth in a Premier League game that may see them increase their top position. Then there is the second leg with Sporting Lisbon where the semi-finals of the champions league are at stake.
The only trophy Arteta has won in his three years at Arsenal is the FA Cup in 2020, and he has been in the second place in the premier league three years in a row. This is not such a season. The team is more advanced. The faith is more powerful. The lead is bigger.
The contract will be postponed during summer. May could be used to write the history books.
In the case of Mikel Arteta, it is easy to say that it is a case of completing what Arsenal began. And with Eze back on board the Gunners are in a better position than ever to do just that.