Arteta brushes aside speculation on Arsenal deal extension as Eze returns from layoff

UK press sources indicated that the north London outfit conducted encouraging preliminary discussions with Arteta concerning his existing agreement, due to run out at the conclusion of the following campaign.

This development arrives in the wake of Arsenal seeing their chances of lifting trophies drop from four tournaments down to two, courtesy of setbacks against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup showpiece and second division outfit Southampton in the FA Cup last eight.

The Gunners claimed a narrow 1-0 triumph away to Sporting in the opening match of their Champions League last eight tie earlier this week, while they also remain in the hunt for a first Premier League crown in two decades, holding a commanding lead with 70 points from 31 fixtures, nine ahead of second placed Manchester City.

Queried on the prospect of prolonging his contract, Arteta emphasised that his priorities lie with the present term.

"There is no ⁠news on that. We ​don't have time to discuss that now," Arteta informed journalists.

"The full focus is on what we have to do from here until the end of the season.

"I am fully ‌committed here. I am really happy and I feel good. My family's good. I still have so much ambition and things to do at this club. For now, we are in a good place."

Eberechi Eze rejoined sessions on Thursday having overcome his knock, yet Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber numbered among the sidelined figures.

Arteta noted that attacker Eze will be fit for Saturdays encounter, declining to elaborate on the remaining omissions.

The Arsenal boss further lauded rival head coach Andoni Iraola, who has steered Bournemouth up to 13th spot boasting 42 points.

"It's amazing what he's done together with the club," the Spaniard remarked.

"The consistency they have shown and the manner they've done it, ⁠with the amount of ⁠players they've sold, they ‌have reinvented themselves."