MIKEL ARTETA says he hopes Gabriel Martinelli is just the first of Arsenal's key players to sign a longterm contract extension.
Arsenal this morning announced Martinelli had agreed a new four-anda-half year deal (right), with the option of a further year.
The 21-year-old, who joined the club from the Brazilian lower leagues in summer 2019, is enjoying a breakout season for the Premier League leaders, scoring seven times in 27 appearances.
The Gunners, who face Sean Dyche's Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow lunchtime, are also in talks over extensions for Bukayo Saka and William Saliba.
Asked about progress in discussions with the pair, Arteta, who was this morning named January's manager of the month, said: "Part of the plan obviously is to extend the contracts of our biggest talents at the club and commit them to the future.
"We are trying to do that. We have started with Gabi and that is good news, the others will be done when we can and we have to agree on that.
This story is from the February 03, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
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This story is from the February 03, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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