Hello everyone. So, not long to go now……..
There’s just one last trip to Southampton ahead of us before we can finally put a pin in this season. Something I’m pretty sure we are all going to be happy to do after what has been a very draining campaign for a multitude of reasons.
Mikel Arteta’s press conference ahead of the season finale will take place early doors on Thursday morning when we should get an update on the severity of the ankle issue that has led to Jurrien Timber having to be booked in for an operation.
I’m told it is just a minor procedure for Timber and that hopefully he should be OK for pre-season, but it would be nice to get a bit of clarity on that from the manager on Thursday.
Elsewhere, I’m told that contract talks between Arsenal and Thomas Partey are intensifying, with both sides keen on a quick resolution one way or the other.
As I’ve reported previously, these talks are quite complicated as both sides started them quite far apart in terms of the finances that would be involved in any extension for the midfielder, but it appears that a decision will be reached soon, with both sides wanted to bring some clarity to the situation before the end of the season.
Ideally, Partey wants to stay at Arsenal despite interest from across Europe and Saudi Arabia and the club are keen to agree a new deal with the midfielder, potentially for a further two years, so the signs are that something will get agreed.
Either way, I don’t think we’ll have to wait too long to find out, with Partey’s agent having been at the Emirates on Sunday to watch the game and step up talks.
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