Double & quits! Would Premier League & Champions League wins lead Mikel Arteta to reconsider Arsenal contract extension or fuel desire to emulate Arsene Wenger?

Having seen Unai Emery struggle to deliver under the pressure of following in Arsene Wenger’s illustrious footsteps, Arteta - who had been working alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City - returned to Emirates Stadium in December 2019.

He had no experience of heading up a coaching team at that point, but settled quickly into the most demanding of roles and oversaw an FA Cup success in 2020 - followed by a Community Shield win later that year. Another victory in English football’s traditional curtain-raiser to the new campaign was all that Arteta had to show for his effort across the next five years.

Arsenal were rebuilt into genuine title contenders, having gone six years without Champions League qualification at one stage, but finished as runners-up behind Manchester City and Liverpool across three successive seasons.

Questions were inevitably asked of collective “bottle” and Arteta’s ability to deliver the grandest of major honours. A positive answer was finally delivered in 2025-26 when landing a first top-flight crown since the fabled ‘Invincibles’ of 2003-04. A run through to the European Cup final has also been enjoyed, with Paris Saint-Germain set to be faced in that continental showpiece on Saturday.

Arsenal are looking to hoist that iconic piece of silverware aloft for the first time. If they succeeded, could Arteta - whose current deal is only due to run until the summer of 2027 - be tempted to explore new challenges?

When that question was put to Parlour, the Gunners great - speaking in association with Spreadex Sports - told GOAL: “I wouldn’t agree with that. I think where he took the club, the difficulties that they had from the beginning, the fact that the club stuck with him.

“I remember having talks with Edu and how the club stayed on. I think the fact that they were able to come out on the other side and be successful is really what everyone will cherish.

“It's so easy to just change and bring another manager in, but if you stick with people, you believe in people, you give them the resources and then you come out better on the other side and you actually win something, it just makes the story so much better and it proves that the stability and the belief in the project works if you really believe.”

Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke has said that tying Arteta to fresh terms is “an utmost priority”. The club’s board, along with a loyal fan base, are eager to see the 44-year-old take inspiration from Wenger as he becomes another long-serving stalwart in the dugout.

Pressed on whether Arteta can go someway towards emulating Wenger’s 22 years at the helm, Parlour - who worked under Le Professeur - added: “Why wouldn't he and why wouldn't they? The stability he’s given Arsenal, and this is part of Arsenal's DNA, and it's given them the platform to be able to fight and be contenders in each competition.

“It's amazing, the consistency over the last few years and now this year again. Also, the change of sporting director, Andrea Berta, who came in this year, signed the players and really went for the targets and added depth to the squad. It really shows how well this Arsenal Football Club is run and hopefully they can continue in that direction.”

Arteta has been eager to divert attention away from his future plans as Arsenal remain in contention for more prestigious trophies. He has stated on a regular basis that said issue will only be addressed when a memorable campaign comes to a close.

That point will be reached after taking on PSG in Budapest, with the hope being that wild celebrations in Hungary - as the record books are rewritten - will be followed by more good news on the contract front before another transfer window swings open for business.