LONDON -- Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey are close to agreeing lucrative new contracts at Arsenal, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.
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Reports in recent days had suggested Wales midfielder Ramsey and Spain international Cazorla may be about to join teammates Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky in penning new deals with the north London club, with Wenger hopeful of announcing the deals imminently.
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caption: Cazorla and Ramsey have contributed 12 league goals between them this season
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“We are very close [to new contracts for Cazorla and Ramsey], very close,” said Wenger, who did not offer any update on the contract discussions involving Bacary Sagna, who appears set to secure a free transfer away from Arsenal in the summer.
Wenger went on to offer upbeat news on Ramsey’s fitness, dismissing reports that suggested the 23-year-old may be ruled out of action for the rest of this season with a persistent thigh injury that has taken longer than expected to heal.
The confirmation that Jack Wilshere is expected to miss the next eight weeks after fracturing his foot playing for England on Wednesday means Ramsey’s return cannot come soon enough for Arsenal, with his manager confident he will be fit to return for the north London derby against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on March 16.
“Aaron Ramsey is one week away. The next two games are coming too soon, the weekend after he should be available,” stated Wenger.