Mikel Arteta signs new Arsenal contract – meaning Arsene Wenger may not sign new defensive midfielder
Mikel Arteta has finally signed a new contract - and that may stop Arsene Wenger being forced into the market for a new midfielder.Arsenal captain Arteta, 33, agreed a new one-year deal months ago but had not put pen to paper, which raised question marks about whether he would leave the Emirates this summer.But Arteta, who had received lucrative offers from Spain, has committed himself and will be on the club's pre-season trip to Singapore after returning to training.
Spanish midfielder Arteta missed much of last season through injury and his return also means that the pressure will not be so great on Arsenal to sign another defensive midfielder.
Arsenal's long-term target Morgan Schneiderlin is set to join Manchester United as soon as they meet Southampton's £25m asking price.While Arsenal remain interested, they do not value him in that bracket and they have such a wealth of midfielders they are unlikely to be rushed into making a move.
France international Schneiderlin is believed to prefer a move to Arsenal but United appear to be winning the race.
Arsenal are not interested in Arturo Vidal and Ilkay Gundogan also signed a new deal at Borussia Dortmund.Francis Coquelin emerged as Arsenal's new holding midfielder while they have strength in depth with Arteta also filling the deeper role.
Jack Wilshere has played deep for England while Arsenal also have Aaron Ramsey, Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky as the club have taken up an option to re-sign the Czech veteran.
They will not entertain offers for Santi Cazorla - despite interest from Atletico Madrid - after the Spanish midfielder was arguably Arsenal's best player last term.
Arsenal's players began returning to pre-season training today but they are staggered before coming back depending on international duty as Wenger wants them all to have a rest.
Wenger has already said Alexis Sanchez is likely to miss the start of the season after leading Chile to glory in the Copa America.
But Wilshere is likely to hit the ground running as he has worked through the summer after missing much of last term through injury.
Meanwhile, Colombian keeper David Ospina - set to be ousted by new £10m signing Petr Cech - is in no rush to quit the Emirates.
Ospina has been a target for Fenerbahce but will have talks with Arsenal after his return from an extended break after the Copa America.He said: "I have always had to fight for the title position at all of my clubs. You expect a big club like Arsenal to improve the squad but you must always impress the manager in training."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/mikel-arteta-signs-new-arsenal-6014648
