Arsenal to offer star improved contract amid interest from Chelsea

Arsenal face Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt on Thursday in their third Europa League group stage match. 

Mikel Arteta’s side are in superb form domestically and currently sit top of the Premier League table, having beaten rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby at the weekend.

In Europe, The Gunners sit second in Group A, although they have only played once and will leapfrog their Norwegian counterparts if they beat them on Thursday.

After the disappointment of missing out on Champions League football towards the end of last season, there is finally reason to be cheerful for Arsenal supporters, although they may now face a battle to keep hold of one of their stars.

As reported by The Mail, The Gunners are hoping to tie Gabriel Martinelli down to a new long-term contract amid interest from a number of clubs, including other top four clubs in the Premier League.

Rivals Chelsea are said to be one of the clubs interested in signing the Brazilian, who has been in sensational form so far this term.

The forward has netted three times in nine league matches, as well as providing an assist.

Martinelli has attracted interest from other clubs

Arsenal will now look to tie the 21-year-old down to a new deal, with his current contract set to expire in 2024.

Martinelli joined the London side from Brazilian club Ituano in 2019, and he has since established himself as a crucial part of Arteta’s side.

The Brazil international has scored 21 goals and provided 14 assists in 93 matches for the club since making his debut.

Last season, he made a total of 36 appearances across all competitions, scoring six goals.

It is claimed in the report that The Gunners will also attempt to persuade Martinelli’s teammates Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to sign new long-term deals, as they foresee the trio playing significant roles for the club in the coming years.

Saka and Martinelli, both 21, are also set to be out of contract in 2024.

The club are said to be confident that Saka will extend his stay in the capital by at least three years.