Mikel Arteta makes big prediction on Jurrien Timber’s Arsenal future with contract offer readied

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Mikel Arteta wants Jurrien Timber to have a “long future” at Arsenal after contract talks began.

TBR Football revealed earlier this week that Arsenal were planning to reward Timber with a new deal to recognise his important role under Arteta.

Negotiations are at an early stage and the defender will be due a significant pay rise from his current terms, which are set to run down in 2028.

Jurrien Timber arrived at the Emirates from Ajax for a fee of around £34million in 2023, and figures at the club believe he is one of the world’s best in his position.

Mikel Arteta praises ‘phenomenal’ Jurrien Timber

Addressing Timber’s impressive form ahead of Arsenal’s match against West Ham, Mikel Arteta admitted he was hopeful the 24-year-old would commit himself to his project for the long term.

“The players want to be with us, we want to attach our futures with them,” said Arteta.

“Jurrien is a really good example of someone under very difficult circumstances, with an injury early in his career, a difficult one – the way he’s come back and what he’s doing for the team, it’s phenomenal.

“Hopefully he’s another one who’s going to have a long future with us.”

Timber’s first season at Arsenal was derailed by an anterior cruciate ligament injury picked up in the curtain-raiser against Nottingham Forest, restricting him to just one appearance.

However, he bounced back in the following campaign to play 51 games, and he has continued his form into this season, becoming Arteta’s undisputed first-choice at right-back.

Jurrien Timber set to be latest to sign new Arsenal deal

Timber is expected to follow in the footsteps of William Saliba in signing a new deal, while Bukayo Saka is also in talks over a contract that would make him Arsenal’s first £300k-a-week player.

TBR Football exclusively revealed the details of the package on offer for Saka, and an agreement is close.

Including bonuses, Saka will shoot to the top of the club’s earning table, moving above Kai Havertz.

Saliba, meanwhile, put pen to paper on a five-year contract late last month, with new sporting director Andrea Berta moving quickly to tie down Arsenal’s most valuable assets.