Mikel Arteta wants contract talks with Arsenal

Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has claimed that he is set to have talks with Arsenal this summer in a bid to clarify his future, with just one year left on his current deal and no plans in place to extend it just yet.

Arsenal generally will only offer one-year deals to players over the age of 30 and with Arteta now 32 years of age, his future is very much in doubt with manager Arsene Wenger admitting that he is at a difficult age.

The likes of Lars Bender and Javi Martinez have been linked with a move to Arsenal over the summer months, but Arteta believes that age is no issue for him and hopes Arsenal can be persuaded to alter their policy.

Arteta told Sky Sports, “I don’t know what is going to happen.

“With players over 30 they have a policy and I don’t know if they plan to change it or maintain it. Depending on what their mind is, I will give them my opinion and how I see it.

“I don’t value players by age, whether it is Tomas Rosicky or Jack Wilshere. I analyse many other things before age.

“For the club, it can be an asset. For me, a much bigger asset is someone who has played over 125 games in three years, compared to somebody who has played 25 and is 20.

“I understand the club’s point of view – Mikel is not a £25million player anymore because he is not 22 anymore – but I know what I can give.

“So it is to find the right balance between mentalities is something we need to analyse and talk about.”

Mikel Arteta made 63 interceptions in his 31 Premier League games for Arsenal this season.