Antonio Conte holds the key to Mikel Arteta's new contract decision that Arsenal must get right

Arsenal supporters exited the January transfer window deflated that no one came in to reinforce the side. A chance to secure Champions League qualification has presented itself this season and the Gunners chose not to strengthen.

However, Arsenal have not yet lost their top-four competitor tag and Mikel Arteta will be doing everything possible to help his side reach the coveted positions in the final 17 games of the season.

The outcome of the season will have a drastic impact on not just the club’s capacity to sign quality in the summer but perhaps Mikel Arteta’s very own future. The Spaniard will have just a year remaining on his current deal come June.

There have been suggestions the club are preparing to offer Arteta an extension already, to put off potential suitors. Although this has prompted debate within the fan base as to whether he has earned this new contract yet. have had their say on what and when would constitute a new contract for the Gunners boss.

Miss out on the top six and for me, another manager deserves the opportunity to take this group of talented players forward.

Two back-to-back eighth-place finishes, followed by another beyond the Champions League and Europa League places with how much has been spent does not represent progress.

Finishing in the top four represents a significant step in the right direction and very simply would justify a new deal for Arteta. However, finishing in the top six should not be a guarantee that the Spaniard is the right man to take the club forwards.

More time, in my view, would be needed to be assured of that even with the danger of the ticking clock on his current deal.

Antonio Conte has a big say in this too. Should the Italian with a worse squad at Tottenham raise