The Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta has only made 11 appearances for the club so far this season, and with only a few games remaining until the end of the season, he is still a week or two away from being ready to play. The Spanish midfielder turned 33 years of age last month, and with just a couple of months left on his contract is aiming to reach full fitness before discussing a new contract with Arsene Wenger.
When asked about any contract discussions, he said: “My only aim is to get back fit and try and perform on the pitch
“As long as I do that I feel that I will continue at this club. With the relations I have with the club, with the respect I have from everybody here, I’m really happy.
“If I don’t do that I’m not going to be here because I don’t want to be somewhere where I cannot perform at my best and give what I think I can give.
“In May when everything is fine we will sit down and talk and it will take five minutes.”
To be honest though, I can’t really see Arteta getting any game time this season unless our League position has been confirmed, and that may go right down to the last game of the season. And now with Coquelin confirmed as first choice DM, and an unbelievable range of excellent midfielders, how often would Mikel get a game anyway?
Maybe we could keep him to get his coaching badge and as an example to our young players?