As a result, he left Real Madrid this summer at the end of last season. He is now a free agent and is already being linked with a potential move to a new club.
His new deal also included a clause that would allow him to leave as a free agent if the Catalan giants had not registered him as a first-team player by the end of the season - something the club eventually did in January.
The 36-year-old was part of France's squad that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and has been a key player for Spurs for several years despite having lost the #1 spot to Guglielmo Vicario this season.
Edinson Cavani's arrival at Old Trafford on a free transfer saw the Nigerian striker fall out of favour, with the 31-year-old only managing four appearances in all competitions so far this season.
When he was fit, however, he was a relatively reliable best defender, as shown by his first season, where was named Player of the Month in August and included in the Europa League Squad of the Season.
At the beginning of the season, Arteta's team already coped with the Manchester club, winning the FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium in a penalty shootout. Both teams have displayed shaky form in their recent matches.
He showed promise towards the end of the 2020-21 season, but failed to replicate that form in his final season at the Emirates, scoring only one Premier League goal.
The gospel stars from Christ Embassy lit up Lagos and glowed through the many online channels as millions tuned in to catch a glimpse of the hottest show of the season.
Southampton Player of the Season in 1984-85, 1985-86, Nottingham Forest Player of the Season in 1981-82, and PFA Team of the Century (1977-1996) in 2007.