Arsenal star signs new long-term contract with Edu set to seal next two contract priorities

Gabriel Martinelli has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, and manager Mikel Arteta is now looking to sign similar contracts for two of the Brazilian forward’s teammates.

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal can follow up on Gabriel Martinelli’s contract extension by signing William Saliba and Bukayo Saka to new contracts.

After months of negotiations, Brazilian forward Martinelli, 21, has signed a new long-term contract at Emirates Stadium. The agreement is part of Arsenal’s strategy to secure the club’s brightest young talents for the foreseeable future.

Smith, Emile Rowe signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal 18 months ago, with Saliba and Saka next on the list. Both players’ contracts expire next summer, but they are in talks about extensions.

“Part of the plan obviously is to extend the contracts of our biggest talents at the club and commit them to the future,” Arteta said at his press conference on Friday.

“We are trying to do that, we have started with Gabi and that is good news, the others will be done when we can and we have to agree on that.

“I see everyone happy and eager to stay at the club, but we have to meet everyone’s expectations, and timing is everything.”

Martinelli has been a key member of Arsenal’s team this season, earning high praise from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. His performance for Arsenal earned him a call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad, and his new contract is a huge boost for his current club.

Arsenal’s ambitions are dependent on tying down Saka, who is regarded as one of the best young talents in the world. Saliba has been equally important this season since his return from loan, helping to shore up the Gunners’ defence.

“We’re delighted Gabi has signed a new long-term contract,” Arteta said of Martinelli’s new contract. Every time he puts on the shirt, our supporters see his quality and energy, and he’s the same in training, with his hard work and positive values.

“Gabi is still very young, so we know there’s still much more to come from him and it’s great that we’ll be on this journey together.

“We are now excited to continue developing his enormous talent and look forward to seeing him perform with Arsenal in the coming years.”

Arteta was also pleased to complete a transfer for Jorginho on deadline day, as the Italian midfielder moved from Chelsea. Arsenal’s manager described his new signing as a player that “has proved himself, you look at his CV, his playing record, his quality. “I believe we made some really good decisions there, and we’ve helped the squad with three players overall.”

Asked what Jorginho will bring to his side, Arteta added: “His intelligence, his personality, his leadership skill and the way he understands our way of playing and the quality he has to implement that in football matches. He’s a player who will fit in perfectly with our plans.”