Mikel Arteta, Arsenal Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Club captain Mikel Arteta and Arsenal finally agreed to a contract extension on Wednesday, ensuring the veteran Spaniard will not leave the Gunners on a free transfer during the summer. The club announced the midfielder signed a one-year extension:

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“He will stay with us for one more year because he has extended his contract," [manager Arsene] Wenger told Arsenal Player. 

“He’s one of the leaders in the club because he’s the captain of the team. I expect him to contribute much more than last season but he also faces a battle. 

"With the number of games we have ahead, we could use his experience, his desire and his quality as it will be vital for next season.”

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Arteta has been with the club since 2011, joining from Everton after a successful stint with Real Sociedad, his hometown club. The 33-year-old mainly plays as a holding midfielder, functioning as a pivot between the back four and the club's attacking players.

Born in the Basque Country, Arteta was heavily linked with a move back to Real Sociedad in the past few months, per the Sun (via Metro):

The emergence of youngster Francis Coquelin, coupled with a handful of injuries, meant Arteta's playing time was severely reduced in 2014-15, and there were genuine fears he would opt to leave north London during the summer.

Arteta indicated he was interested in staying with the club after the FA Cup final win over Aston Villa, however, when he spoke of Arsenal's ambition for the upcoming season, per Omnisport (via beIN Sports):

Wenger was asked about Arteta's future in March, and as reported by the Daily Mirror's Joe Mewis and Adrian Kajumba, he was desperate to keep the veteran at the club: "I would like him to stay on. He has huge experience and is very important to the squad."

Arteta may no longer be the Gunners' top option in the holding midfielder position, but he remains the club captain and an important figure in the dressing room. His experience is invaluable to the younger members of the team, and he's still a strong option off the bench.

Saying goodbye to veterans is part of football, but in this instance, keeping Arteta at the club for the coming season seems like the smart choice.