Arteta signs training-ground dog, Ramsdale pen new deal, Saka and Odegaard to follow

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made his latest signing to enhance the feelgood vibe at Arsenal — a chocolate Labrador.

The dog, who is affectionately called “Win”, spends most days at the club’s training ground at London Colney, Hertfordshire.

Arteta was inspired to do the deal last month, hoping to exploit research that has shown petting a dog can be calming, improve a mood and reduce stress levels.

He also thinks she can enhance the spirit of togetherness that has carried Arsenal’s title challenge this season.

Arteta walked her into the room to witness Aaron Ramsdale, his goalkeeper, signing a new long-term contract this week.

Labradors are known to be sweet-natured, intelligent, enthusiastic and fun. She is not fazed by the training ground’s resident cat, Bob, who was adopted when his local owner died, and the dog has a primary carer who looks after her.

Arteta is known to be especially keen on marginal gains and ideas to motivate his team and stir emotions.

They include taking a lightbulb into a team meeting to show how it is nothing unless connected to the mains, because the team has no power unless they have a connection.

He also rigged up speakers playing You’ll Never Walk Alone to prepare for what turned out to be a defeat at Anfield last season, and he drew a love heart and a brain on his whiteboard before a North London derby last season.

Ramsdale has doubled his wage to about £120,000 a week by signing a contract until 2027 with an option of a further season.

Arsenal plan contract talks with Martin Odegaard and have verbally agreed a deal with Bukayo Saka, who would become among the club’s top earners on more than £200,000 a week. Arteta has said that he is optimistic that a deal can be struck with William Saliba.

The club want to reward the core of the side who have mounted a title challenge this season, and have verbally agreed a deal with Bukayo Saka, who would become one of the squad’s top earners on more than £200,000 a week.

Arsenal’s more pressing concern, however, is tying down William Saliba, whose defensive importance has been emphasised during his recent absence with a back injury and who enters the final year of his contract this summer.

Arsenal have been on a drive to secure the futures of key players, including the centre back Gabriel and the winger Gabriel Martinelli, who in February signed a new deal until 2027 that doubled his wages to £180,000 a week. Ben White’s present contract runs until 2026 but the defender could also be among those to be offered improved terms.

Ramsdale has also signed until 2026, with the option of a further season. The 25-year-old goalkeeper had two years remaining on the deal he signed when he joined from Sheffield United for an initial £24 million in 2021, a fee that drew a backlash from some supporters.

He has since become an important member of Mikel Arteta’s squad, starting all 36 league games this season and keeping 13 clean sheets.

He earned the first of three England caps in a 10–0 away victory against San Marino in a World Cup qualifier in November 2021.

Odegaard, 24, has played a leading role for Arsenal in their title challenge, which looks to have been ended by the 3-0 defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

He has scored 15 goals and contributed seven assists, although has faced criticism for not delivering in the big matches. He has two years left on his present contract, with an option to extend that by a further year to 2026.

Arteta has said he is optimistic that a deal can be struck with Saliba — if not, it is presumed that Arsenal would have to sell the 22-year-old defender, who has been tracked by Paris Saint-Germain, this summer.

Reiss Nelson turned down Arsenal’s offer of a new contract beyond this summer. The club are hopeful the 23-year-old winger, who has been at Arsenal since the age of eight, will sign a short-term deal.