Arsenal are lining up new deals for midfielder Aaron Ramsey and winger Reiss Nelson.
Despite selling Wojciech Szczesny, Kieran Gibbs, Mathieu Debuchy, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez due to their contracts winding down this season, the Gunners have finally tied down a key player and hot prospect in the squad.
Mesut Ozil signed a contract extension at the end of January while Mohamed Elneny put pen to paper on a new deal last month, but there are still a number of other players yet to commit their futures. Ramsey is one of them.
The Welsh international’s future was uncertain due to a lack of contract talks last month and him close to entering the last year of his deal, but manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed negotiations are ongoing.
“We are communicating. Yes, I’m confident, he’s not at the end of his contract, he has one and a half years to go. From my side it is clear, but you always have to find an agreement,” he said.
“We want him to stay. He’s one of these guys who has been here for a long time. He will be an important player in the future of this club.”
Signed from Cardiff City in 2008, the 27-year-old has gone on to make more than 320 appearances in all competitions, scoring and creating 112 goals.
Ramsey has had his issues with injuries down the years and spent a long time struggling to nail down a starting place in central midfield, but he’s been a standout performer this season and an indispensable member of the squad.
The box-to-box player has made 25 appearances in all competitions, contributing 19 goals. In the Premier League, Ramsey has created 23 chances and made 22 successful dribbles in 20 games and provides a threat in the defensive third as well as in attack.
However, his deal still expires in 2019 and with Arsenal’s problems in midfield, hashing out Ramsey’s future was important. Jack Wilshere’s deal is up in the summer and he’s yet to agree to an extension, so the Gunners could yet be losing a talented player from the engine room.
As for Reiss Nelson, the 18-year-old recently made his Premier League debut, having previously been utilised in the Europa League and domestic cups. Nelson was a standout performer in Arsenal’s pre-season tour but his been left out of the league until now.
The England u19 international has risen through the ranks to the Arsenal first-team, making 15 appearances in all competitions. Nelson current deal is set to expire next year but he revealed an extension could be on the horizon.
“It is a big achievement to sign for a big club like Arsenal so I’m just delighted with the contract and hopeful that I can sign it soon. I’ve just got to thank the boss and all my team-mates around me, pushing me and making me work harder and harder,” he said.
Arsenal have lost a lot of young talents in recent seasons. Marcus McGuane is the most recent departure, having turned down the London outfit to join Barcelona in January. Serge Gnabry left to join Werder Bremen in 2016/17 too.
But with so many backroom changes made in the last year – Huss Fahmy joining as contract negotiator and Raul Sanllehi becoming the new Head of Football Relations – Arsenal are working hard to tie down their best talents.
