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Arsenal have eased anymore near future contract concerns for their fans by agreeing 5 new deals with current squad players.
Full internationals, Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Carl Jenkinson have all agreed deals that will last for the next five years.
Whilst Jack Wilshere‘s new deal will see him remain an Arsenal player until 2018 – which is a deal that was reported to you here on Rant Sports in late November.
The news comes as a positive that has been hard to find in recent times for Arsenal, with manager Arsene Wenger stating;
“I believe when you have a core of British players, it’s always easier to keep them together…The plan is to build a team around a strong basis of young players in order to get them to develop their talent at the club.”
It comes as little surprise that England players Jack Wilshere and Carl Jenkinson would agree to such deals, with an open passion and life long support for the club.
Whilst deals with Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gibbs and Ramsey suggest the faith Wenger has in them going forward.
Jack Wilshere, 20, has played 74 games for the club despite a long term injury last season and has in the past spoken about his commitment to his boy-hood club. Wenger went on to say;
“Jack [Wilshere] is certainly the best known, the leader of this group – but the other four players are exceptional footballers and we’re very happy that we could conclude their new deals at the same time.
19 year old Oxlade-Chamberlain is the youngest of the 5 and extends the deal he signed in the summer of 2011 – after leaving Southampton.
Wilshere and Chamberlain were seen kissing the badges in a video released when the news was released.
All 5 have made rapid and encouraging progress in recent times under Arsene Wenger gaze – with Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jenkinson (20), Wilshere and Gibbs (23), all having made debuts for England. With, Welshman Aaron Ramsey, 21, being named captain under his former national team boss, the late Gary Speed.
Wenger added in a statement;
“Gibbs, Jenkinson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey and Wilshere represent a core of the squad and it’s an extension for a long period for all of them.”
However, with 5 British players signing on, the exclusion of Theo Walcott once again raises question regarding his future.
Walcott, 23, is another Enlgish international, however his contract is due to expire in the summer of 2013, and it is believed personal terms are still holding back the deal.
However, what ever you believe these personal terms are could be a matter of opinion. Is it money? Or is it really, “I only want to play as the central striker”.. I’ll let you decide.
What ever the outcome of that saga, the 5 deals Arsenal signed today are a reassurance to the fans of their future with a British core being built in an attempt to bring back the glory days at the club.
By Stowe Gregory @stowegregory
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