Arsenal Ready To Open Contract Talks With Yet Another Key Player

Arsenal are now ready to open contract extension talks with key defender Laurent Koscielny, according to the Telegraph.

Koscielny has become a vital part of Arsenal’s defence since joining from Lorient in 2010 and has forged an excellent partnership with Per Mertesacker at the back over the last 18 months.

It now seems that the club are ready to reward the 28-year-old for his fine form with the Telegraph claiming that we’re set to open talks with the centre-back over an improved contract that will see him commit his long-term future to the Emirates.

The news comes after Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and Gedion Zelalem all signed new long-term deals on Tuesday. Ramsey was rewarded for his sensational early-season form that saw him score 13 goals in 27 games before a thigh injury put him out of action on Boxing Day. The Welshman is close to a comeback and the newspaper states that he’s now signed a new five-year deal worth in the region of £100,000-a-week.

With Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky also signing contract extensions earlier this month, the club have been working hard to secure the future’s of our key players and it appears Koscielny is next on the hit-list.

Many are suggesting that the willingness of so many players to sign new deals is a clear sign that Arsene Wenger has also offered assurances over his long-term future at the club, despite the Frenchman not yet signing his new contract.

MORE: Arsenal handed major injury boost ahead of Chelsea clash

Obviously it will be great if we can tie Koscielny down to fresh terms and hopefully that will dampen any talks of him possibly leaving this summer, but doubts continue to grow over whether Bacary Sagna will still be at the club next season. The right-back is out-of-contract in June and is keeping his options open with Arsenal so far reluctant to improve upon their two-year offer.