Arsenal star set to be offered surprise new contract, he could retire at the Emirates

Arsenal look set to offer midfielder Granit Xhaka a new contract, meaning he could eventually retire at the Emirates.

It follows the news that Gabriel Martinelli has penned a new contract with the Gunners that will keep him at the club until 2027, with the option of a further year.

Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are thought to be next on the list, with both players coming towards the end of their contracts.

Mikel Arteta is also said to be keen on keeping Xhaka at the club following his impressive performances this season.

According to The Sun's Daniel Cutts, Arsenal are set to offer the midfielder a new improved deal.

Cutts tweeted: "Arsenal confirm Gabriel Martinelli's new contract until 2027 with 12-month option. Now on around £180,000-a-week. #AFC now want Saka, Saliba and a new deal for Xhaka all sorted ASAP."

In 2021, Xhaka signed a new deal with the north London club until at least 2024, with the club holding an option to extend it by a further year.

Now at 30 years of age, a new and improved long-term deal for Xhaka could potentially see him retire at Arsenal.

Arteta 'threatened to drop Xhaka'

Xhaka has played a major part in Arsenal's ascent to the top of the table, adding goals to his game whilst regaining the fans' trust.

The Switzerland international managed just one goal and two assists last season. He has since smashed that tally, registering four goals and five assists already this campaign.

Arteta has since revealed he threatened to drop Xhaka if he continued to fail to deliver in the final third.

Speaking to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher in December, Arteta said: “I spoke to him at the end of the season and said, ‘I need to unlock something in your brain because you’re so comfortable and confident playing in this area that you have forgot that actually what is going to win us the game is here and the team now demands somebody here, so unless you unlock that I’m going to have to do something about it’.

“He took it straight away. He’s a very intelligent player, he came to pre-season fitter than ever, slimmer than ever.

“And he knew that if we wanted to take the team to a different level we had to change his role. He knew that was coming.”