Arsenal have no plans to offer Arteta new deal

The Gunners have tied a number of key players to new deals in recent weeks but they have no plans at present to enter into negotiations with the 32-year-old Spanish midfielder

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EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent

Arsenal have no plans to offer Mikel Arteta a contract extension as the club set their sights on a new central midfielder, Goal understands. 

The Spaniard will have only a year remaining on his current deal in the summer but has been ignored in the recent flurry of fresh contracts handed to senior players.

Arteta's future beyond this season is up in the air as the Gunners target central midfield reinforcements with a transfer kitty for new signings, upwards of £100million.

The former Everton man has remained a first-team regular in his third season at Emirates Stadium but turned 32 on Wednesday and has noticeably struggled against top-class opposition this season.

The lengthy absences of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey have helped Arteta keep his place in the team as Arsene Wenger puts his faith in his experienced campaigner and a player regarded as a leader and strong character in the dressing room.

But the Spaniard could be surplus to requirements in the summer if, as expected, Wenger recruits at least one A-list centre midfielder.

A raft of senior Arsenal players have recently been rewarded with new contracts, including Tomas Rosicky, 33, Per Mertesacker and Santi Cazorla, both 29.

The Gunners are also keen to tie down Bacary Sagna, 31, to an extended deal even though talks are currently locked in stalemate.

The Frenchman has been offered a £75,000-a-week, two-year contract with the option of a third year. But Sagna, who is out of contract in the summer, is holding out for a £90,000-a-week agreement over three years and has offers on the table from a string of clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester City, PSG, Monaco and Inter Milan.