Arsenal news: Secret deal agreed as brand new signing reveals exit plan - The Mirror

Arsenal news round-up as details of a secret contract change emerge and the Gunners make plans to expand the Emirates, which would mean a move to Wembley

Arsenal went into the international break with a spring in their step after soaring to the top of the Premier League table. The Gunners have taken full advantage of Liverpool’s recent slip-ups with back-to-back wins over Newcastle and West Ham.

Meanwhile, they boast a 100 per cent winning record in the Champions League and have advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. With champions Liverpool seemingly reeling, Mikel Arteta’s side will look to extend their lead when they return to the Premier League action at Fulham on October 18.

Here’s a round-up of the latest key news items to emerge from the Gunners, including a secret pay rise and plans to make the Emirates the biggest ground in London again…

Secret Raya deal comes to light

A new bumper contract for David Raya, agreed back in the summer, has come to light. The length of the deal remains unchanged but he was given a significant pay hike in the closed season as a reward for an impressive couple of seasons at the Emirates.

He originally arrived from Brentford on a season-long loan in 2023 before seeing off the now departed Aaron Ramsdale as number one and making his move permanent. There has been no formal announcement by the club, nor is there expected to be, given that the span of his original contract hasn’t altered.

Gunners eye Wembley switch

Arsenal could make a temporary move to Wembley if plans to expand the Emirates are given the go-ahead. Ticket demand is currently outstripping supply, with around 100,000 on the season ticket waiting list.

The Gunners’ home currently has a capacity of 60,700, making it the country’s fifth-largest club ground and third-largest in London, with Tottenham and West Ham boasting slightly larger stadiums.

The Gunners’ plan would see capacity rise to around 70,000, which would make it the country’s second-biggest ground behind Manchester United’s Old Trafford.

However, with railway lines straddling the ground, building outwards is not realistic. Instead, the club are looking to steepen the stands to make room for thousands of extra seats.

The complex work, which could cost around £500million, would require the Gunners to leave for a period of time, with nearby Wembley earmarked as a temporary base.

Summer signing reveals exit plan

He may have only just joined the Gunners but Christian Norgaard already has his next move planned out.

The Danish midfielder arrived in the summer from Brentford as a direct replacement for Thomas Partey on a two-year deal. He has made just one Arsenal start so far, against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup, and none in the Premier League.

Unconnected to his lack of game time, Norgaard has revealed where he sees his playing career ending, and it’s not with the Gunners. He told Danish title Bold: “Whether it will be two or three years at Arsenal has not been decided, but we will return to Denmark when the contract expires.

“I can guarantee that Arsenal will be my last club abroad. I still want to return to Brondby when my contract with Arsenal expires.”

Norgaard retains strong ties with the Danish club, where he made more than 100 appearances between 2013 and 2018 before moving to Fiorentina and then Brentford.

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