Campbell extends Arsenal deal

England centre half Sol Campbell has extended his contract with Arsenal for at least another two years, club manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday.

Wenger said Cameroon defender Lauren and youngsters Justin Hoyte and Johan Djourou had also committed themselves to at least another couple of seasons at Highbury, but Brazilian midfielder Edu looked to be on his way to Valencia.

"Campbell's deal could be for longer but is for a minimum of two years," the Frenchman told reporters at the Arsenal training ground.

"I am delighted but I was never in any doubt about Sol Campbell that's why I wasn't worried," he added of the 30-year-old, whose previous deal expires at the end of the season. He joined Arsenal in 2001 after seeing out his contract at neighbours Tottenham Hotspur.

"He is the spine of the team, especially now because we are a young team. Sol is the kind of guy who, when he is committed, you can go to war with."

Wenger said he was also pleased at securing longer deals with Lauren and Englishman teenager Hoyte, a 20-year-old defender, and Ivorian-born Djourou, a defender/midfielder who turned 18 this week.

"Lauren was

dragging on as well, young Djourou was no problem and Justin Hoyte I wanted to secure as he's a good prospect," he said.

Wenger said negotiations with Edu, whose contract also expires at the end of the season, had not progressed the way he would have over the last week.

"I thought we had made some progress but ... today my belief is more that he'll go to a different club," he said.

"If I really had to make a bet, it would be on (him going to Valencia).

"I'm disappointed because I'd have liked him to stay but he is free to choose and we have to deal with that. I still hope Edu will stay.

If Edu did leave the club in the January transfer window, Wenger said he would re-address his plan not to bring any new players to the club in the short-term.

"If he goes now it will change my plans," said Wenger, before adding that he would not be spending a large amount of money but would be looking for an experienced player.

"We have two very young central midfielders who are very promising and I don't see the need to add another one. (Matthieu) Flamini is 20 and (Francesc) Fabregas is 17, what we need now is a little bit of experience."