Mikel Arteta will hold contract talks with Arsenal after transfer window closes

Mikel Arteta has revealed talks over a new contract at Arsenal will take place after the transfer window shuts.

Arteta's current deal at the Emirates expires next summer, but the 42-year-old promised back in July there would be no issues over him signing fresh terms.

No announcement has followed but the Spanish coach allayed any fears amongst supporters ahead of the trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.

"The focus has been on the transfer window. We had quite a lot of things to do and discuss. We are on it and we will take care of that in the right moment," Arteta said.

When asked if talks would occur after the transfer window shuts, Arteta replied: "Yeah.

"I am very grateful first of all for where I’m sitting and the people I work with every single day because it’s really difficult to find that harmony, trust, belief and alignment in the vision.

"It’s something I always mention because I believe we still have an unbelievable time ahead of us. It’s very exciting and I am very excited about it."

However, Arteta refused to be drawn on Arsenal’s pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino despite reports overnight that an agreement had been reached to secure his services.

He said: "No, I cannot talk about any player that’s not with us. There’s still time in the market. Both ways. For all the managers, for all the teams here. You can see it’s getting very busy.

"I don’t know (if) soon. The full focus is on the players that we have at the moment, the big match we have at Aston Villa and that’s all."

Arteta is braced for "surprises" to happen during the final week of the transfer window, but claimed Eddie Nketiah would be involved at Aston Villa despite Nottingham Forest being eager to sign the forward.

"I expect Eddie to train with us