New Deals for Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey, but Where Is Arsene Wenger's?
Arsenal fans yesterday celebrated three pieces of good news. New contracts were announced for the midfield trio of Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Gedion Zelalem.
It's a tremendous boost to the club, especially following so swiftly after extensions were agreed with Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky. All three players are seen as vitally important parts of the squad.
Ramsey is one of the brightest young talents in British football. This season, only the celebrated duo of Yaya Toure and Eden Hazard have scored more goals from midfield than Ramsey. Prior to the thigh injury that has kept Ramsey out since December, the Welshman had been Arsenal's player of the season.
Cazorla was himself a recipient of that award in 2012-13. Although his form has dipped slightly since his first season, he remains an integral part of the Arsenal set-up. His extraordinary technique is complemented by an admirable work rate. Few playmakers match his willingness to work for the collective cause.
Zelalem has yet to make a significant impact on the first-team, but it’s surely only a matter of time until his influence is felt more keenly. The teenage midfielder rose to prominence during the preseason tour of Asia. Although injuries and competition have restricted him to just one senior appearance this season, he is a huge part of Arsenal’s plans for the future.
He has a preternatural gift to spot the killer pass that has earned him comparisons with Cesc Fabregas. If he achieves half what Fabregas has done, this new contract will come to be regarded as money well spent.
Amid the flurry of renewals are a couple of notable absentees. The first is Bacary Sagna. Arsenal have tried for some time to tie him down to a new deal. However, with his contract due to expire in a matter of months, agreement is yet to be reached.
The growing suspicion is he will walk away on a free transfer in the summer. The latest speculation in The Daily Mail suggests that both Inter Milan and Galatasaray are possible destinations for the experienced full-back.
Arsenal may be resigned to losing Sagna. However, the club are still bullish about the prospect of Arsene Wenger renewing. As recently as January, chief executive Ivan Gazidis told The Independent, “Arsene will be extending with us.” All season long, Wenger has dismissed any questions over his commitment to the club. The announcement of his new contract seemed like a mere formality.
However, it’s now mid-March, and Wenger has still yet to sign. Few expected this kind of protracted delay. The longer Wenger’s proposed deal goes unsigned, the more questions will undoubtedly be raised about his intentions.
Could the raft of renewals be Wenger’s way of ensuring he leaves the club in a sound position? By signing up the club’s current stars, he can make certain that any potential successor has a sound base from which to develop the squad.
Arsenal are the strong favourites to win this season’s FA Cup. Perhaps Wenger has earmarked winning his first trophy in nine years as an ideal time to walk away from the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger’s refusal to discuss the situation in detail during his press conferences means Arsenal fans are engaged in something of a guessing game. It’s entirely possible that the Frenchman hasn’t fully made his mind up. Events on the pitch between now and May could determine his decision. What’s certain is that as long as Wenger’s contract remains unsigned, the speculation will continue.
As Wenger approaches his 1,000th game in charge of Arsenal, Gunners fans could be forgiven for wondering if there will be any more beyond this summer.
James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout the 2013-14 season. Follow him on Twitter here.
