Luka Modric has been provided a 4-year contract extension at Real Madrid. He will now remain at the club till the 2017-18 Season.

There have been quite a few changes in the midfield of Madrid this summer with the likes of Kroos and Rodriguez coming in, while, Alonso and Casemiro going out. But, Modric is still there which shows how vital the club management considers him.

Madrid had been benefitted immensely by Modric’s terrific playmaking abilities the previous season. The consistency of the Croatia international was one of the big factors behind the club’s continental victory.

Modric’s versatility gives Carlo Ancelotti the opportunity to try out different combinations. The 28-year old is capable of playing in aggressive as well as holding role.

Although, he seems to be at ease playing slightly up but, he does a job for his manager when he is asked to play deep as well.

Many a time last season, Modric showed how good he is against the teams having congested defences. He has that special ability to get through the lines and create opportunities for the front line of his team and with the kind of attacking combination Madrid plays with, rarely a scoring opportunity goes begging.

So, Modric holds a key position in Madrid’s line up.

Of course, the new signing Toni Kroos is also a similar kind of player in the sense that he is also versatile, but, still, given the kind of performances Modric put up in 2013-14 La Liga, it’s him who would be the manager’s go-to man in any tricky situation this season and a new contract to him is an acknowledgement of the fact that Ancelotti sees him as one of the anchor players around whom a young Madrid team is to be built.

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has rejected suggestions that he is looking for a move away from the club. The 32-year-old is out of contract next summer, while it is believed that he is not happy with Arsenal’s decision to offer him only a 12 month extension. The club has a policy of not offering players above 30 more than 12 months on a new contract. Arteta recently criticised this policy because he felt that experienced players offered a lot more than Arsenal imagine. After having been playing in the Premier League for several years, a return to Spain appears to be on the cards for the former Everton man.

However, he has rejected speculation linking him with a return to Spanish football by saying that he is happy at the Emirates stadium. Arteta has been a first-team regular since his £ 10 million move from Everton. He has been used in a deeper position by manager Arsene Wenger. Up until now, injuries to the likes of Abou Diaby and the departures of Alex Song have made him a permanent fixture in the centre of the park. This could change after the club recently strengthened its midfield with signings like Alexis Sanchez. Sami Khedira is also believed to be on the verge of joining Arsenal.

“I can’t stop the rumours, but what I am certain is that I’m really happy here, I feel valued, I have been given a lot of responsibility and I like it. Until they think something different about me, I’m happy. I had a conversation with the manager. He knows my opinion and we’re fine,” said the midfielder. Arteta also hailed the arrival of Sanchez from Barcelona for around £ 35 million. Khedira is expected to join the Premier League outfit for around £ 20 million from Real Madrid.