Mikel Arteta expects to sign new deal at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is confident that he will sign a contract extension at Arsenal - despite not having played for almost five months.

The 33-year-old club captain has been out of action since picking up a calf injury in a Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund in November.

He underwent ankle surgery in January which ruled him out until April and the Spaniard recently made his comeback with a run out for the Gunners' Under-21 side.

In that match against Brentford's Under-21s he picked up another minor knock to his ankle which has ruled him out of Arsenal's clash with Reading at Wembley.

However, despite his age, Wenger is keen on retaining Arteta as he feels the ex-Everton man's experience is invaluable. And Arteta believes he still has what it takes to perform at the highest level.

"My only aim is to get back fit and try to perform on the pitch," said Arteta. "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 host Chelsea next weekend in what could be a decisive clash in the race for the Premier League title and Arteta has revealed he is in contention for that showdown.

"I am not far. I have done five or six sessions with the first team and I am feeling good," he added.

"I don't feel I am ready to start, but I'm almost there. It has been a long process, I don't want to rush it.

"I made a mistake at the end of the rehab (from my groin problem), but I think I will be back soon."

"It is obviously very frustrating when you cannot perform, when you cannot be out there, training or any of the basics to contribute to the team on the pitch - it makes it really hard.

"It is part of the job and we have all been there. This season we have probably had more injuries than ever, so sometimes you learn other things when you are out.

"It has been frustrating and I am trying my best to get back to the level I want to be at. Whenever it comes, I will take it."

The Gunners are the division's form team having racked up eight wins on the bounce and Arteta believes he and his teammates can end their 11-year wait for the title this campaign.

"We have got the best squad since I have been here, for sure the best squad in numbers and quality," he said.

"We are in a really strong position now compared to where we were in November.

"Three months ago, to be in the top four was an achievement and now it is not good enough.

"In the next two weeks we can determine where we are and what we can do from then on."