Mikel Arteta reveals it is only a matter of time before Arsenal agree new huge deal with £105million star player.
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
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Securing the long-term futures of key players is a priority for clubs aiming to build sustained success. Negotiations often progress quietly behind the scenes before managers offer public indications of where things stand. Those conversations can take on added significance when a player has already become central to the team’s identity over several seasons.
The midfielder who arrived for a club-record fee has maintained a high level of consistency despite a demanding schedule. His contributions in both defensive and attacking phases have made him a regular presence in the side. Any extension would continue a pattern of core figures committing their futures after recent successes.
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Mikel Arteta believes it is “only a matter of time” before Declan Rice signs a new contract with Arsenal after insisting that the midfielder wants to stay at the club. Rice has been a key figure since his record €116 million signing from West Ham in 2023, with the 27-year-old being named the club’s player of the season for the last two years running.
“My feeling is that he’s very happy here, in every conversation I have with him, and he wants to continue here for the long term,” Arteta said. “It will be a matter of time before we sort that.” He added: “He’s been very consistent again. What we are demanding him to do every year is very difficult to maintain. He’s doing it, a big credit to him.”
FootballTransfers was told in September that Arsenal were on the verge of striking an agreement with Rice after he entered the last two years of his contract. Only Gabriel and goalkeeper David Raya have played more minutes for Arsenal than Rice this season, and the midfielder currently has the joint-most assists of any player in the Premier League with four.
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Rice is set to pen improved terms that will put him in the same bracket as Arsenal’s current top earner Bukayo Saka, having also recently seen Arteta sign a new long-term contract. Rice told Viaplay last month that Arteta’s contract extension made him want to stay at the club, saying: “Yeah, of course. I think for sure, I’ve been so happy playing for Arsenal over the last few years.”
“[It’s] probably the happiest I’ve been playing football so yeah, it’s been amazing and the journey has been great so far. Last year, obviously winning the Premier League was one of the happiest moments of my career. So yeah, for sure, let’s continue this.” The England international has spoken positively about his time at the club throughout the process.
Arteta’s comments suggest both sides remain aligned on the direction of travel. Rice’s influence on and off the pitch has grown since his arrival, and the manager has repeatedly highlighted his reliability. The midfielder’s ability to maintain high standards across a long campaign has been noted as particularly impressive.
With the current deal entering its final stages, an agreement would remove any uncertainty around one of the squad’s most important players. Supporters have seen Rice develop into a leader within the group over the past few seasons. The next formal update is expected once the remaining details are finalised between the club and the player’s representatives.
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