Friday 6 April 2018 23:56, UK
Arsene Wenger has revealed Arsenal are in talks with Aaron Ramsey over a new contract.
The Gunners have come under the spotlight for their contract negotiations in recent months. Mesut Ozil signed a new deal, but Alexis Sanchez was allowed to leave in January once it became clear he had no intention of committing his future to the club.
Meanwhile, Jack Wilshere, who captained the side in Sunday's 3-0 Premier League win over Stoke, sees his current deal expire in the summer, with the player and club publicly at odds as to the progression of contract talks.
When asked about a new deal for Ramsey, whose current deal runs to the end of next season, Wenger said: "We are communicating.
"Yes, I'm confident, he's not at the end of his contract, he has one and a half years to go. From my side it is clear, but you always have to find an agreement.
"We want him to stay. He's one of these guys who has been here for a long time. He will be an important player in the future of this club."
Ramsey underlined his importance to Arsenal when scoring twice in the rout of CSKA Moscow in the Europa League on Thursday.
Despite making it clear he is keen for Ramsey to extend his stay beyond 2019, Wenger said he only wants players at the club who are there because they want to play for Arsenal.
"I don't want to convince a player (they should sign)," Wenger added.
"I want the player to be happy to play for the club. Having players who want to play for the club is the way we want to play football and is in the values we feel are important to us.
"With the right amount of money we want to pay, all these things have to come together."
