Robert Pires is ready to be the first Arsenal star to answer manager Arsene Wenger's call for the players to follow his lead and sign a new contract at the club.
France international Pires, a Stg£6million buy from Marseille before the start of last season, wants to open negotiations on a fresh deal to replace his current agreement which still has two years to run at the end of the campaign.
And Wenger, who finally confirmed yesterday that he has penned a four-year extension to his own contract at Highbury, is hoping now that fellow Frenchmen Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry will soon follow suit.
Pires, who has emerged as a growing influence on the side after a slow start to his Arsenal career, said: "Playing in England has had a fantastic effect on my game and I love it here.
"I feel I am playing better than I've ever played and I have to thank English football for that and the important help Arsene Wenger has given me.
"When I first arrived the physical part of the Premiership game really shocked me and I struggled to come to terms with it but I knew I had to learn to cope with it or I would not be able to perform. But I believe I have progressed a long way because I have become mentally tougher and it is a very satisfying feeling.
"It makes you want more of this and the coach knows how I feel. Hopefully I will be able to talk to the club soon about my future because I'm convinced we have the quality to win big things here not only this season but in the following years."
PA