Arteta says midfielder’s new contract is only a “matter of time”

Mikel Arteta believes Declan Rice wants to stay at Arsenal for the long term and says it is only "a matter of time" before his future is sorted. Asked about the prospect of a new contract for his star midfielder whose deal expires in 2028 (although it comes with an option for an addition year), Arteta said : "My feeling is that he's very happy here, in every conversation I have with him, and he wants to continue here for the long term. "What we are demanding him to do every year is very difficult to maintain.