Arsenal midfielder close to new long-term contract

Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey is reportedly close to penning a fresh long-term contract with Arsenal.

The 27-year-old has been in a contract standoff with the Gunners in recent months and this has spread speculation over his future with his current deal expiring next summer.

However, according to Football.London, the north London side appear to have made a breakthrough in talks with the midfielder and an agreement could be announced in the forthcoming days.

The Welsh midfielder was initially deemed to be holding out for wages in excess of £250,000-a-week but that claim was quickly dismissed by his representative last month.

The Welshman has started in three of the Gunners' four games since the start of the season and he looks set to play a fundamental role under new boss Unai Emery this term.

Ramsey, who has previously caught the radar of Chelsea and Manchester United, has recently been on international duty with Wales and bagged a goal in the thumping 4-1 triumph over the Republic of Ireland.