After helping Arsenal U-23 win the Premier League South in 2018-19, head coach Mikel Arteta has rewarded versatile defender Harry Clarke with a new long-term contract.
Clarke, who can play in defence or as a defensive midfielder signed his first professional contract in August 2018. and has now signed an improved deal. The England international has made 11 appearances for Arsenal’s Under-23s in the Premier League 2, with the club losing just once.
After the club broke the news, Clarke took to Twitter to share the good news. He wrote: “Proud to have signed a new long term contract with this great club.
“The hard work continues!”
https://twitter.com/HarryyClarke6/status/1209131131674746881
Also, Arsenal on their club website congratulated the player on his news contract, expressing their desire to develop the defender and keep him till he graduates t the senior team.
The club wrote: “Everyone at the club would like to congratulate Harry on his new contract and we look forward to seeing him develop further.”
Meanwhile, Arteta has wasted no time in taking over the reins at the North London club by appointing Steve Round as first-team coach and retaining Freddie Ljungberg as coach after having talks with the former interim manager.
According to the new Gunners boss, he was impressed enough with Ljungberg’s willingness to buy into his vision thereby appointing him to his backroom team.
He believes his knowledge of working with the players over the course of their difficult season will be vital to him understanding what changes need to be made.
Arteta said: “I spoke to Freddie after the game. I told him my idea and the people I wanted to bring to form my coaching staff, their roles and responsibilities of each of them.
“I wanted to know what he was feeling, I wanted to know what he had in mind, what his expectations were.
“We talked and we made a decision that the best thing was for him to stay with us. I think he can be very available.
“I think he knows the players, he knows the situation, he knows the history of where we’re coming from and also his knowledge of the game is going to really help us to be better.
“I knew him a little bit obviously, and we will start a new chapter now with new ideas, new ways of doing things. I got a really good impression. He’s ready to help. He was very positive.”
