Arsenal Star Drops Contract Extension Hint

Yossi Benayoun admits he would dearly love to remain at Arsenal beyond his current loan deal which expires at the end of the season.

The Israeli international has cut a peripheral figure at Arsenal at times this season under Arsene Wenger, but the 31-year-old has revealed the Gunners have the option to extend his deal at the Emirates for the duration of his contract at Chelsea.

Benayoun believes Arsenal's investment towards the end of the summer transfer window has already alleviated some of the fans' pain at losing two of their talismanic stars in Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. The former Liverpool midfielder believes the vast improvement in Arsenal's results over the last six weeks has defied their critics in the aftermath of the 8-2 capitulation at Old Trafford, suggesting Wenger has assembled a squad more than capable of matching any side in the Premier League.

While delighted with Arsenal's recent form and the fact a number of their summer signings have settled in at the Emirates, Benayoun suggests he would be happy for the Gunners to take up their option and sign him permanently in the summer.

"I can only concentrate on the loan and we will see at the end of the season." The midfielder told Arsenal's official website.

"Arsenal have the option to take me for the rest of my contract with Chelsea, another two years, but it's too early to speak about this."

Although the sales of Nasri and Fabregas were keenly felt by Arsenal fans, Benayoun believes the club are showing signs of moving on from their departures.

"Fabregas and Nasri are both good players, and maybe the fans expected other names, or bigger names," The Arsenal star continued.

"But all the players bought on the last day have proved themselves and we are playing much better and winning games.

"The supporters now understand that we have a good team with a lot of quality, and I think they have forgotten about the other players already.

"We are only two points from Chelsea now, Tottenham and Manchester United are not that far ahead.

"We beat Chelsea away. If you do that, you can beat any team. We showed the quality and we just need to keep working in every game and prove ourselves."