Arsenal's recent shift in transfer policy appears to have started bearing fruit at the club, with underperforming high-earners moved on in favour of young, hungry and promising players brought in. Last season it moved them agonisingly close to a top four finish and a return to the Champions League.
This time around, they'll be hoping it's different and it has certainly started that way as they sit top of the Premier League table after ten games played. The investment into the squad along with the start to life back in the division has left Mikel Arteta pleased with how things have been built.
"It’s a really hungry and humble team, believe me," The Spaniard said after victory over Tottenham in the North London Derby. "It’s nothing that we have done yet and there’s still a lot of things to improve. That’s the direction we’re taking.”
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The trust in the squad has let some of the players shine, whether they joined from Manchester City, Sheffield United or through the academy. So while there's usually been such focus on incomings, the latest action is towards consolidating the current side for the future.
With that in mind, Arsenal have begun talks with William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli over new long-term contracts at the club as they only have two-years remaining on their base deals. While football.london understands the club have a one-year extension option on the former two and a two-year option on the latter, they are still looking to reward them with better deals.
Once negotiations for those three key players are nearing a conclusion, the Athletic reports that goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is the next priority. The England international was brought in as a secondary option to Bernd Leno, but has since ousted him for the number one shirt.
The report claims that all parties agree a wage reflecting his new status as first-choice is on the horizon, with Arsenal keen to reward players for their role in the side, despite having plenty of time remaining on their contract.
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