Arsenal in talks with 'total player' over new contract

Dorothy Howard

Arsenal in talks with 'total player' over new contract image

Arsenal have started to tie down their stars, with defender William Saliba agreeing to a new five-year deal. 

The club is also in talks with Bukayo Saka and is preparing to offer him a massive contract, with Mikel Arteta seeing the Englishman as crucial to the team. 

According to BBC Sport journalist Sami Mokbel, Arsenal are now in the early stages of offering Jurrien Timber a new contract. 

Timber's current deal expires in 2028, but the Gunners believe they can extend his deal and reward him for his important performances. 

The Dutch international has scored two goals and bagged one assist in six Premier League games this season. 

Arteta has praised Timber for his performances ahead of Arsenal's weekend match against West Ham, describing him as a "total player."

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What did Arteta say about Timber?

Arteta was asked in his press conference whether Timber was one of the players who had earned a reward based on his performances. 

The manager replied, "Yes, one hundred per cent. And especially the players that they want to be with us. And we want to attach our futures with them.

"Jurrien is a really good example of someone that, especially under very difficult circumstances, with a very early injury in his career, with a really difficult injury, the way he’s come back and what he’s doing for the team, it’s phenomenal.

"I think he’s a really good example of another one that hopefully is going to have a long career with us."

Timber suffered an ACL injury on his Premier League debut in 2023, but he has since been a mainstay in the squad, often being preferred to Ben White. 

Arteta was also asked if Timber is one of the most underrated players in the league, and he said, "I don’t know because I rate him a lot.

"So I don’t know how people rate him, but hopefully a lot because when you’re talking about a total player, he has almost every quality that you want from a defender."

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Dorothy Howard

Dorothy Howard is a freelance soccer writer for The Sporting News. Dorothy loves all things sports, especially soccer. She is unfortunately a hardcore Manchester United fan, but loves the USWNT. Since starting her career, she has published work for multiple sports sites, and is a trusted name in sports reporting.