Last week, Arsene Wenger confirmed that he does believe that Arsenal will extend both Per Mertesacker and Santi Cazorla’s contracts by a year.

Both 32-year-olds are out of contract at the end of the season. While Per is yet to play this season due to a knee injury, which required surgery, Santi is out for goodness knows how long after also needing his ankle operated on but the boss obviously believes in them enough to make short term plans.

Arsene Wenger and Per Mertesacker
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 19: Arsene Wenger, manager of Arsenal talks to Per Mertesacker during an Arsenal training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich at London Colney on October 19, 2015 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Now, this is what implies that Wenger could be extending his Arsenal contract, which is also up at the end of this season, as why would be make such short term plans if another manager, who may not want these players that Wenger signed, was taking over?

It’s one thing signing players like Hector Bellerin to new, long-term deals for the benefit of the club. Anyone can see his talent and what he brings to Arsenal. But extending two senior players’ deals by just one season does make it seem as if the big man is staying.