Mikel Arteta signs new Arsenal contract

If you're one of the people who believe fervently that Arsenal need a defensive midfield upgrade this summer, you may or may not be thrilled to learn that Mikel Arteta just signed a new contract for next season. It was thought that Arsenal might join the race for Morgan Schneiderlin, but that option seems to have gone now, so Arsene Wenger seems content, as it stands, with re-signing Arteta and relying on a mixture of Arteta, Coq, Wilshere, Rosicky, and Flamini to inhabit that defensive role.

So the DM debate rages on, but one thing is for sure: Mikel Arteta has been a tremendous asset for Arsenal over the years, and while he's definitely in his decline phase now, he can still play a vital part in an Arsenal title run this coming season. I have long thought he doesn't get enough credit for the work he does, so I'm happy to see him staying in London, and hopefully he'll keep doing what he does this coming season.