Andrea Berta has had an interesting 18 months at Arsenal.
The Italian was hailed as the saviour after terrific work in his first summer transfer window last year. He also renewed the contracts of several key players, which earned him even more praise.
However, in the summer window of 2026, Berta came under immense criticism for failing to strengthen Arsenal’s attack. He has to win the fans back now, and he has been hard at work.
Up next on his agenda is a contract extension for one of the club’s most important players.
Mikel Arteta and Arsene Wenger
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Declan Rice’s new contract will be one of the biggest in Arsenal’s history
Arsenal signed Declan Rice in a club-record £105 million deal from West Ham United in 2023.
The England international has been one of the best players in the world since and has barely put a foot wrong in the famous red and white. He is one of the biggest reasons why they won the Premier League title last season.
Arsenal have been in contract talks with Rice for quite some time now, but there has barely been any news about the same in recent months. But there is a reason behind that delay.
Hand of Arsenal has revealed that talks have taken far too long over a new deal for Rice because this is ‘one of the biggest player contracts’ in Arsenal’s entire history.
They tweeted: “Arsenal have been working on the Declan Rice renewal for some time, as reported many months ago. Due to it being one of the biggest player contracts in the club’s history, it’s taken some time.”
Soon after that update, BBC Sport revealed that Arsenal are on the verge of extending the midfielder’s deal, with talks now at an advanced stage. Rice is said to be close to agreeing fresh terms.
The report further states that the Englishman, who currently earns around £240,000 a week, will see his wages be on par with Bukayo Saka’s £350,000-a-week salary.
Arsenal have just announced Mikel Arteta’s contract extension. It looks like Rice will be next, and that is a massive boost for the club.