• Premier League

Wilshere, Ramsey and Ox commit to Gunners

Arsene Wenger has been handed a welcome boost with the news that five Arsenal youngsters have committed their future to the club.

Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson have all signed long-term contracts at Emirates Stadium.

Wilshere, 20, has recently made his comeback from a lengthy period on the sidelines and has impressed during his ten appearances in all competitions this season.

Gibbs, 23, has also struggled for fitness but has enjoyed a run in the side of late at left back, while Oxlade-Chamberlain, 19, has steadily made an impression on the first team since signing from Southampton in 2011.

Ramsey, 21, has recovered from a nasty leg break he sustained in 2010 to be a regular squad player for the Gunners, while Jenkinson, who joined from Charlton in 2011, has provided competition to Bacary Sagna.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on the club's official website: "We are delighted that these five young players have all signed new long-term contracts.

"The plan is to build a team around a strong basis of young players, in order to get them to develop their talent at the club. Jack is certainly the best known, the leader of this group - but the other four players are exceptional footballers, and we're very happy that we could conclude their new deals at the same time."

He continued: "Gibbs, Jenkinson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey and Wilshere represent a core of the squad and it's an extension for a long period for all of them.

"I'm a strong believer in stability and I believe when you have a core of British players, it's always easier to keep them together and that's what we'll try to achieve going forward."

Arsenal remain hopeful that Theo Walcott will follow suit and put pen to paper after reopening contract talks. However Gunners captain Thomas Vermaelen admits he will not be surprised if the England winger leaves the club in the summer.

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