Arsenal's double announcement and news of another imminent departure over the past week are going a long way to shaping Mikel Arteta's first-team squad ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Last Thursday, the Gunners confirmed that goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had put pen-to-paper on a new contract and football.london understands that the deal will keep him at the Emirates Stadium until 2026, with the club having the option to extend this by a further 12 months.
Hot on the heels of that announcement came official word on Tuesday afternoon that Bukayo Saka has also committed his future to the north London outfit by signing a deal that football.london understands is thought to be worth at least £200,000-a-week, but could rise to £300,000 a week due to bonuses.
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In doing so, the England international becomes the fifth Arsenal senior player to sign a new contract this season after, of course Ramsdale, in addition to Mohamed Elneny, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes - who actually got the ball rolling all the way back in October.
Although, sandwiched between the last two contract announcements is an expected departure as football.london understands Granit Xhaka is in advanced talks over a £13m transfer to Bayer Leverkusen when the summer window opens and the midfielder has revealed a decision will be communicated very soon.
"You will know latest next week, for sure," he said. Then when pressed on if it will be before the Wolves game at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, he replied: "Yes."
Xhaka's likely exit coupled with the Ramsdale and Saka news is only just the beginning of what is expected to be a busy summer for the Gunners as whilst there could be more contract announcements - whether that be for new or existing players - there will be some seeking pastures new, with Kieran Tierney and several members of the loan army such as Folarin Balogun tipped to leave one way or another.
Now, Pablo Mari won't be an Arsenal player for much longer as there was a clause that would see his move to Monza become permanent should the Italian avoid relegation from Serie A and having done so with five games to spare, a £5.9m windfall is on the way once the deal is officially announced.
Furthermore, with clarity over Ainsley Maitland-Niles wanting a fresh start once his contract expires next month, the only other senior player in limbo presently is Reiss Nelson. The winger is said to have been offered a new deal despite turning down two previous offers and it remains to be seen where he will be plying his trade next season.
With that said, the coming months will be interesting as it will be revealed who else Arteta and sporting director Edu have decided will be signed, sold, or kept on this summer. With that said, here’s a look at the first-team players still under contract for next season at Arsenal.
Arsenal first-team players under contract for 2023/24
Goalkeepers: Aaron Ramsdale, Matt Turner, Karl Hein, Arthur Okonkwo, Alex Runarsson.
Defenders: Kieran Tierney, Benjamin White, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Rob Holding, Cedric Soares, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Nuno Tavares, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Auston Trusty.
Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Jorginho, Fabio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Mohamed Elneny.
Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard, Nicolas Pepe, Folarin Balogun, Marquinhos.
*Granit Xhaka and Pablo Mari, as things currently stand, are both under contract at Arsenal until 2024.
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