Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta has finally put pen-to-paper on a new one year deal at club, thus ending speculation over his future.
SEE ALSO:
James Milner reveals why he snubbed interest from Arsenal and new contract offer from Man City to join Liverpool
Man United and Arsenal target to be offered ‘incredible’ £11m contract by Champions League giants
Arsenal and Man United suffer blow in bid to sign highly-rated midfield star (Video)
Mirror Sport report that the veteran midfielder provisionally agreed to a contract extension a few months ago but has now made it official.
Arteta has not played for the first-team since sustaining an injury against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League group stage meeting back in November last year and has seen his place in the starting XI go to Francis Coquelin.
Such has been the excellent form of the Frenchman, it’s no longer a certainty that Arteta will be able to win back his spot in the team despite being the skipper.
However, his return to fitness and new deal could end manager Arsene Wenger’s search for a new defensive midfielder as he may feel he has enough cover in that position ahead of the new season.
The Gunners boss has been linked with a host of new central midfielders this summer but looks set to lose out to Premier League rivals Manchester United for the signing of Morgan Schneiderlin, despite the player reportedly favouring a move to London [via Independent Sport].
Meanwhile, Juventus and Chile star has been tipped to sign for the club now that the Copa America tournament is over [via Metro Sport], although that deal looks unlikely as La Liga giants Real Madrid are reportedly in pole position for the Chilean’s signature [via Express Sport].
With transfer targets slipping away, it remains to be seen if Wenger will add to his midfield options before the transfer window slams shut on September 1.