Arsenal closing in on crucial long-term breakthrough

Arsenal are closing in on a new contract agreement with Declan Rice, with manager Mikel Arteta expressing confidence that the England international will commit his long-term future to the club. The midfielder is set for a substantial pay rise that could see his wages reach £350,000 per week, matching Bukayo Saka as the Gunners' highest earner.

"My feeling is that he is very happy here. In every conversation I have with him, he expresses the desire to continue being part of this club in the long term. It's just a matter of time before we sort the situation out," Arteta said ahead of the trip to Liverpool. Rice's current deal runs until the summer of 2028, with Arsenal also holding an option to extend it by a further year.

The England star joined Arsenal from West Ham in the summer of 2023 for £105 million and swiftly established himself as a cornerstone of Arteta's side. The Spanish manager once again hailed his consistency: "What we ask of him year in, year out is extremely difficult to sustain at that level. But he does it, and he deserves huge credit for that."