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Topics: Premier League, Arsenal, Gabriel Martinelli, Mikel Arteta
Ryan Smart
Topics: Premier League, Arsenal, Gabriel Martinelli, Mikel Arteta
Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has reportedly agreed to sign a new four-and-a-half year contract with the club.
The Brazilian is one of several players that the Gunners have been keen to negotiate new deals with, given his incredible form during the current Premier League season.
The 21-year-old has seven goals and two assists to his name in 19 league appearances, and earned a call-up to the Brazil squad for the World Cup.
Martinelli's current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2024, although Arsenal do have the option of extending it by an additional two years.
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But a report in The Athletic claimed in October that the Gunners wanted to reward players such as Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba for their form and development at the Emirates Stadium.
And, in a major boost for Mikel Arteta, one of those contracts appears to have been all but completed.
The Athletic's David Ornstein has reported that the Brazilian has agreed a new contract, which will run until the summer of 2027, when Martinelli will be 26.
He tweeted: "Gabriel Martinelli has agreed a new 4.5yr contract at Arsenal.
"Previous terms ran to 2024 and Arsenal had two year option. Fresh deal in process of being finalised for 21-year-old Brazil attacker to extend at Emirates Stadium until summer 2027."
Arsenal have already had a busy January, bringing in Leandro Trossard from Brighton and Jakub Kiwior from Spezia.
They also activated Saliba's optional one-year extension prior to the month, preventing the Frenchman from discussing a pre-contract agreement with other European clubs. His deal was due to expire this summer.
With Martinelli's contract now close to being finalised, Arsenal will now surely turn their attentions to renewing the deals of other young stars, such as Saka and Saliba, in the near future.
On the pitch, Arteta's side travel to Manchester City for an FA Cup fourth round fixture at the Etihad Stadium.