Mikel Arteta has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal that will keep him at the club until 2030 and make him the highest-paid manager in the Premier League.

The Spaniard’s new deal, announced on Wednesday, runs until the end of the 2029-30 season.

It represents a significant upgrade on his previous terms and rewards the 44-year-old for leading Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years last season.

Arteta’s new package is reportedly in the region of £15 million a year in basic salary, with performance bonuses that could take the total closer to £20 million.

That figure places him clear of every other Premier League manager following Pep Guardiola’s departure from Manchester City.

Arteta, who took charge in December 2019, has transformed the Gunners from mid-table underachievers into genuine title contenders and champions.

His win percentage of over 62 per cent is the best of any full-time Arsenal manager in the club’s history.

Speaking after the announcement, Arteta said: “It’s a privilege to commit my future to the club and to continue to work with exceptional people who want the best for Arsenal.

“We have already built a special bond and created memories that will last a lifetime, and what is so exciting is that this is only the beginning of what we can achieve together.”

Shooting Stars fans have called for the dismissal of their head coach, Salisu Yusuf, after another disappointing result.

The Oluyole Warriors were held to a goalless draw by Kano Pillars in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 3 encounter in Ibadan.

The Ibadan club has now recorded just one win from their last six league matches.

Frustrated supporters chanted “Salisu must go” after the stalemate with Kano Pillars.

The Ibadan-based club will now look to end their barren run when they face Kun Khalifat in their next league game.

Ronaldo issued a statement through several Portuguese media outlets, explaining his reasons for withdrawing from the current Portugal national team training camp and apologizing to Portuguese fans.

In his statement, Ronaldo said that as captain, he should be disciplined by the Football Association. After serving his suspension, he stated he was always ready to play for his country. This indicates that Ronaldo does not plan to voluntarily retire from the Portuguese national team in the near term.

Excerpts from Ronaldo’s Statement
The consequences of my actions must be evaluated and punished by the Football Association, and I understand the penalty should not be reduced. I am not just a player; I am the team captain, which is an aggravating factor. I have apologized, but I know that every action must have consequences. Anyone in football, including me, knows that regardless of individual status, the rules apply to everyone equally.

But when I think of the national team, what I really think about is playing. That’s what was on my mind the day I learned of my father’s death. I was at the national team training camp then, and I decided to stay until the next day’s match was over. I have done things for my country that I would never do for any club.

So, if my physical condition allows me to play and score for my club, then after my suspension ends, I will be ready, as always, to play for the national team and win.