Country: England
Every Arsenal player’s contract situation explained
By Art de Roché
6h ago
Mikel Arteta has spent a large part of the past two summers reshaping his Arsenal squad.
He has continued to do so this year with arrivals and contract extensions to reinforce which players he views as part of the club’s future. After making six signings last summer, Gabriel Jesus joined as Arteta’s first signing at striker last week, with Fabio Vieira adding more support in the final third, while Eddie Nketiah’s stay has been extended.
There remain some in the first team whose futures have a cloud of doubt hanging over them. Many of those who were loaned out last season will need to have their situations clarified as their contracts run into their final year, while others may require new environments to flourish.
Here, The Athletic assesses the situation of each member of the Arsenal first team ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Goalkeepers
Aaron Ramsdale (contract expires 2025)Signed last summer, Aaron Ramsdale usurped Bernd Leno as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper quicker than expected, though the 24-year-old suffered a dip in form towards the end of the season. He should keep his place as first choice this season and for the foreseeable future, with Matt Turner as his direct competition. Signing a four-year deal last summer, he also has the option of an extra year to 2026.
Bernd Leno (contract expires 2023)
Leno’s time at Arsenal may be coming to an end, with the German in the last year of his contract. The 30-year-old has been consistent and reliable during his time at the club, but does not offer the distribution Ramsdale does in possession. The Athletic revealed last month Fulham were in talks to sign the goalkeeper who is keen to stay in London but nothing has yet been agreed.
Ramsdale is the undisputed No 1 at Arsenal (Photo: Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Matt Turner (contract expires 2025)
Turner will likely start the year as backup to Ramsdale after signing this summer. The 28-year-old has impressed for the USMNT with 18 caps and should provide healthy competition in goal. Europa League and Carabao Cup games may be where his initial chances come, but Ramsdale and Leno are both proof that the backups can quickly become the first choice if needs be.
Arthur Okonkwo (contract expires 2024)
Okonkwo was rewarded with a three-year contract after coming through the Arsenal academy. Officially a first-team member, the 20-year-old is yet to make his official debut, but has made the bench on multiple occasions over the past two seasons. Turning 21 in September, this season may be a good opportunity for his first taste of senior football on a loan.
Runar Alex Runarsson (contract expires 2024)
With the arrival of Turner and promotion of Okonkwo to the first team since he signed in 2020, Runarsson does not appear to be in Arteta’s long-term plans. The 27-year-old endured a tough debut season at Arsenal and was loaned to OH Leuven in 2021-22. It would not be surprising if similar happened ahead of the new campaign, although he has travelled to the pre-season camp in Germany.
Full-backs
Takehiro Tomiyasu (contract expires 2025)Another arrival from last summer, the Japan international signed a four-year contract. His debut season exceeded expectations with the 23-year-old becoming Arsenal’s most reliable right-back. He was sorely missed when injured for three months and is able to play centre-back and left-back.
Cedric Soares (contract expires 2024)
There will not be much urgency around Cedric’s future, with the Portuguese entering the last two years of his contract. As reported by The Athletic in June, the coaching staff value him as an understudy, so it is unlikely they will rush to get him out the door. He filled in at left-back in Arsenal’s 5-1 win behind closed doors against Ipswich Town last weekend.
Hector Bellerin (contract expires 2023)
Coming into the final year of his contract, a parting of ways could be on the horizon. The right-back spent last season on loan at Real Betis, where he was held in high regard, and he has made public his hopes of joining them permanently. Finances may make that deal difficult. He is still respected at Arsenal, captaining the side that beat Ipswich, but the 27-year-old may still look for a new challenge.
Kieran Tierney (contract expires 2026)
The Scot signed a five-year contract with Arsenal last summer, has been involved in pre-season training and travelled to Germany. Viewed as one of Arteta’s leaders on the pitch, he could be a candidate for captaincy heading into next season, as he often took the armband when Alexandre Lacazette was substituted in games before a knee injury ended his season early. Attention has been on finding a quality backup for the 25-year-old — who has suffered lengthy spells on the sidelines in each of his three seasons at Arsenal — when he is absent through injury. This partly explains recent interest in Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez.
Kieran Tierney had injury problems last season (Photo: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Nuno Tavares (contract expires 2025)
The Portugal Under-21 international had a fairly inconsistent debut campaign. He impressed during the first half of it, but lost confidence after being substituted in the first half and at half-time against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace respectively. The Athletic reported last month that Marseille were keen on taking the left-back on loan, but nothing has materialised. Sanctioning his exit would also depend on recruiting cover in that position, which feeds into their Martinez interest.
Centre-backs
Ben White (contract expires 2026)The centre-back suffered a tough start at Arsenal after signing a five-year deal last summer, but came into his own after a run of games. His ball playing and ability to defend high up the pitch is a real asset for Arsenal and will provide sufficient competition for William Saliba ahead of the new season. White became a regular starter at centre-back but sometimes filled in at right-back last term.
Holding (contract expires 2024)
The 26-year-old signed an extension in January 2021 and is seen as a good player to have around the squad. Holding is not expected to be a regular starter, but Arteta values his personality and sees him as someone who can be an example to younger players. An example of this cropped up last December when Holding was the one to report racist abuse aimed towards Nuno Tavares and Nicolas Pepe away at Leeds United, which resulted in an arrest that same evening.
Holding is seen as a good presence around the squad by Arteta (Photo: James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
William Saliba (contract expires 2024)
An Arsenal player for three years already, this may be the most important season for both William Saliba and Arteta when it comes to the centre-back’s future. Saliba has spoken publicly, stating he wants to fight for a place in the side. As a result, Arteta will have to give the young Frenchman an opportunity to impress. It is unclear how the situation will pan out but the 21-year-old’s direct competition will be White when the season gets underway.
Pablo Mari (contract expires 2024)
The 28-year-old experienced a positive loan at Udinese, who were public about their desire to make the switch permanent. Finances on their end make that a difficult deal to pursue, but finding a resolution for Mari could be crucial. With everybody fit and available, he will be unlikely to get minutes in the Premier League. The Europa League may offer opportunities in the first half of the season, but despite being respected by Arteta, it is clear Arsenal’s defence is moving in a new direction.
Gabriel Magalhaes (contract expires 2025)
Signed the window after Mari, Gabriel, 24, has been an undisputed upgrade at left centre-back. Strong in the air and on the ground, he gives Arsenal stability at the back while also adding goals to his game last season. His tally of five was more than any other centre-back in the Premier League. Holding described him as Arsenal’s “rock” in May and ensuring he is the cornerstone of their defence is crucial. With three years left on his deal, immediate action is not needed, but he may be one to consider over the next 12 months.
