Contrary to some reports, they have not "signed for another year" and they have not been "offered an extension". The club has exercised their right, written into the pairs existing contracts, to extend those contracts for another year. This means that they will no longer be available on free transfers in the summer. It does not mean that the players have signed anything new or committed themselves to staying.

Although Arsène Wenger continues, rightly, to be impressed by the living legends, and will surely find plenty of use for them in the next year ("They are a long way from being finished here yet", says Wenger), it is unlikely that they will both spend that year as regular first-team players.

Dixon: Although Lee has been more of a regular this season than Nigel has, this is only because we have yet to sign anyone who has shown themselves able to step into his shoes. Luzhny does ok sometimes but lacks consistency. Arsenal will surely continue to look for a replacement and when one is found Lee will find himself getting fewer games. Lee, however, is not the one who's been saying that he might leave.....

Winterburn: If anything, the "Nutty boy" has maintained his form better than Lee (that is no slur on Lee, mind, Nigel was Arsenal's "Player of the Year" last season!). But he has suffered from the fact that, in Silvinho, Arsenal appear already to have found our next left-back. Indeed, although Winterburn's appearance against Manchester United recently showed that he still has the ability to keep a player of David Beckham's quality quiet, he would not have played if it weren't for an early injury to the young Brasilian. Nigel has publicly stated that, although it might break his heart, if he isn't getting regular first-team football he may well move on. Sadly, it looks very unlikely that he will be getting a regular place, and it would not be like Arsène Wenger to stand in his way if this were to be Nigel's decision. Perhaps all that yesterday's contract news means is that we'll be able to demand a fee for him in the summer.

We hope not. And although it will be a sad day when Nigel or Lee leaves, this is not just a sentimental hope. These are simply great players, who still have a lot to offer. Their playing abilities are without question, but ont top of that their infectious enthusiasm is surely worth a few points every season they're with us.

So, we applaud Arsenal's decision to extend the contracts, and appeal to both players to see their futures at Arsenal, for another year at least. Regular football anywhere else just wouldn't be the same, Nigel.