Mikel Arteta has signed a new one-year contract extension with Arsenal, manager Arsene Wenger said on Wednesday.
Arteta, 33, had agreed to a deal in January, according to his agent, but had yet to sign the deal as the summer transfer window officially opened.
The Spaniard's four-year contract he signed in 2011 expired last week, but now the defensive midfielder will stay at the Emirates for an additional season.
Arsene Wenger has confirmed that @m8arteta has extended his contract with the club. Full story http://t.co/AfbBQrQWYj pic.twitter.com/Q29LP2iFA5
- Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 8, 2015
Arteta's extension fits in with Arsenal's policy of offering single-season contracts to their older players.
"He will stay with us for one more year because he has extended his contract," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.
"He's one of the leaders in the club because he's the captain of the team. I expect him to contribute much more than last season but he also faces a battle.
"With the number of games we have ahead, we could use his experience, his desire and his quality as it will be vital for next season."
Arteta joined Arsenal from Everton in August 2011 for £10 million and has gone on to make 136 appearances for them, scoring 16 goals.