Arsenal are ready to hand Rob Holding a new contract.

The Mirror says the 23-year-old central defender is not expected to return until September after sustaining cruciate knee ligament damage in December.

However, he was in excellent form in the period leading up to his last game for the Gunners and had established a good partnership with Sokratis Papastathopolous.

Boss Unai Emery wants to reward him for his progress and the new terms will reflect his standing in the first team.

They will come as a major boost in his rehabilitation as well.