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Arteta set to agree new Arsenal deal 'in five minutes'

Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta is confident it will take just "five minutes" to put the finishing touches to a contract extension once he is fully fit and back in the squad.

This man loves playing for Arsenal. Credit: PA

The 33-year-old Spaniard is set to miss Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Reading at Wembley as he recovers from a minor ankle problem picked up on his return to action with the Under-21s following a calf injury which sidelined him since the end of November.

The former Rangers and Everton man is determined to first get himself fully match fit and then sort out the formalities of a new deal.

My only aim is to get back fit and try to perform on the pitch. As long as I do that I am sure that I will continue with this club, with the relationship I have with the club and the respect I have from everybody here.

If I don't do that then I am not going to be here because I don't want to be somewhere where I cannot perform at my best and give what I think I can give.

In May, when everything is fine, we will sit down and talk and it will take five minutes.

– Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta