football.london assesses what Arsenal's starting XI could look like in June 2030 when Mikel Arteta's new deal expires
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has signed a new Arsenal contract until June 2030
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Mikel Arteta is a man on a mission as he seeks to build a dynasty with Arsenal after extending his contract with the club.
The Spaniard's fresh deal will run until the summer of 2030 (June) after he fired the Gunners to Premier League title glory last term.
The crux of Arsenal's squad looks sure to stay put until then but how could Arsenal's starting XI look in over three-and-a-half years' time?
football.london takes a stab at predicting the sort of line-up Arteta may still have at his disposal with further investment.
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Goalkeeper
David Raya (34): It still feels fair to assume Raya will be between the sticks for Arsenal come the end of the 2029/30 season.
Goalkeepers often play into their late 30s and sometimes beyond in the cases of Manuel Neuer and Gianluigi Buffon.
However, his current contract runs until the summer of 2028, though Arsenal have a one-year extension option, so he'd need to earn a new contract to continue playing at the Emirates Stadium into 2030.
Raya was a bit of a late bloomer development wise, therefore, he should have no problems maintaining his levels over the coming years as he's now widely recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in all of world football.
David Raya
David Raya remains such a big player for Arsenal between the sticks(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Defence
RB: Marli Salmon (20): It's already very clear that Arteta rates Salmon highly but it's going to be tough to oust both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back.
Given Ben White and Jurrien Timber have continuously battled various fitness issues, perhaps there will be scope for Salmon to slot in at right-back.
CB: William Saliba (29): Like manager Arteta, Saliba's contract will run until the summer of 2030.
The imperious Frenchman will continue to be a mainstay in the starting XI as he's already one of the world's best central defenders.
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes (32): Gabriel will have plenty of mileage on the clock by 2030 but much like goalkeepers, centre-backs are very durable.
Virgil van Dijk, for instance, is still playing international football at 35 and he is still at the top of his game, so it's fair to assume Gabriel will still be the cornerstone of Arteta's backline in a few years' time.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly (23): It might not be the midfield role that MLS craves but he'll blossom into a very important player.
The full-back role is constantly changing and he can still step into midfield and showcase his technical quality in that department.
Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Declan Rice
Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Declan Rice are likely to remain cornerstones of this Arsenal team(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Midfield
CM: Declan Rice (31): Rice looks to be next in line for a new contract as his current deal runs until 2028, though Arsenal have a 12-month extension option.
Naturally, you can't help but wonder how his body will have coped with such a consistently big workload for club and country once 2030 comes around but he'll be in captain territory by then.
Martin Odegaard (31): It's quite an ageing midfield but perhaps Odegaard could drop into a deeper role (like Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes) as he gets older.
He has the positional intelligence and technical quality to shine there. It would feel harsh to eradicate a Premier League title-winning captain from the team altogether but there is a clear heir to his throne. CAM: Max Dowman (20): Dowman will surely have broken into the Arsenal starting XI when 2030 comes around.
He is simply too good to warm the bench and it won't be long until this team is shaped around his unbelievable qualities as the No.10.
Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman
Max Dowman looks set for a big role at Arsenal in the coming years
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Attack
RW: Bukayo Saka (28): It feels like Saka has already been around for ages, so it's crazy to think he'll still only be 28 in 2030.
Nonetheless, while he might lose a yard of pace, Saka has always been efficient in terms of production and with more experience, his numbers are unlikely to dip. Rio Ngumoha (21): The Gunners do like Liverpool winger Ngumoha and his pathway is a tad jammed at Anfield following the signing of Bradley Barcola.
If he's unable to force his way into Andoni Iraola's starting XI on a permanent basis, Arsenal feels like the perfect landing spot.
ST: Eli Junior Kroupi (24): Arsenal are huge admirers of Kroupi Jr and there's every chance they could explore a deal for the Frenchman next summer.
He's a sharpshooter and goalscorer with big potential - plus he's already adored by the club's supporters after netting for Bournemouth against Man City in May when Arsenal finally wrapped up the title.
Potential Arsenal XI in 2030: Raya; Salmon, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Dowman, Ngumoha; Kroupi Jr