Securing the futures of Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard, a trio valued at €238.5 million, has become the top priority for Arsenal's hierarchy. With manager Mikel Arteta having signed a new four-year contract, the north London club have turned their attention to extending the deals of their key players. All three have less than two years left on their current contracts, and the club want negotiations concluded during the November international break, before the January transfer window opens. "It's just tactically, training, managing, the detail he goes into, the things he sees that you would never see. He's constantly watching you when you don't think you're being watched," Rice said of Arteta's work ethic.
The England midfielder added that having Arteta in charge for the next four years is a major advantage for the squad. The club's management are confident that agreements with all three players will be formalised next month, after which Arsenal will switch their focus to adding new signings in the January window. Tying down the trio would cement the foundations of Arsenal's title defence.
