Folarin Balogun’s contract extension with Arsenal is expected to be announced on Wednesday, with Mikel Arteta’s first-team assurances proving key.

After an overwhelming number of reports suggesting Folarin Balogun is finally close to a new four-year contract, we’re now just waiting on the player to sign on the dotted line so Arsenal can announce it.

According to AllNigeriaSoccer, Balogun will have media duties on his new deal on Tuesday, followed by Arsenal officially confirming the news on Wednesday.

Football.London add that whilst finances were certainly involved in Balogun’s decision, the key factor was Mikel Arteta’s assurance that he would be involved in their future first-team plans.

Balogun hasn’t had as many chances as he probably deserved whilst this contract uncertainty was ongoing, but you’d hope that would change once the club had assurances over his long-term future.

For the record, don’t expect Balogun to appear in the senior squad this weekend. The striker wasn’t pictured in first-team training over the last couple of days, instead seemingly preparing for the u23 fixture on Monday.

Arsenal’s u23s travel to Derby County on Monday, in what is proving a fairly important fixture in their fight to avoid relegation. They’ll want their top scorer available for that one, but perhaps it could be followed by a senior squad appearance on Thursday.