• Midfielder has just one year left of contract with Everton
• ‘He would get into the Arsenal team,’ says manager

Arsène Wenger has expressed his admiration for Steven Pienaar and claimed the Everton midfielder would get into his Arsenal side.

Pienaar, who is currently with the South Africa World Cup squad, has just one year remaining on his contract at Goodison Park and while talks on an extension have been ongoing, it seems a deal is unlikely to be agreed during the finals.

That leaves open the possibility of clubs, such as Arsenal, making a move for the 28-year-old before he secures his future with Everton. “Pienaar has grown this year,” Wenger told Sky Sports. “He was usually a very busy player where the final ball was missing a little bit, but this year he has gained in personality and he has kept his work rate, so he has been much more efficient.

“What also played a big role in his growth was that Mikel Arteta was not there for a while and that he had to take the responsibility of being the playmaker of the team.

“He was one of the best players in England this year. He would get into the Arsenal team. I always had an eye on him since he was at Ajax.”

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• Contract talks ongoing for club’s player of the year
• Pienaar: ‘Hopefully we can kick on from here to next season’

Steven Pienaar is confident the future is bright for Everton, and insists he wants to be part of it.

The South Africa midfielder has been the subject of speculation linking him with other clubs after an outstanding season at Goodison Park. Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea are all reported to be monitoring the 28-year-old’s situation as he enters the final year of his contract.

Everton are keen to secure the player on a new deal but negotiations have yet to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

Pienaar, one of the side’s most influential players throughout their strong second half of the season, was named the club’s player of the year yesterday. Asked about the future, he said: “Hopefully we can kick on from here to next season and the coming years.

“We have got the potential. The people behind the club really want it to happen and so do the players.” When then asked if he wanted to stay to be part of any future success, he added: “For sure, why not?”

Pienaar, who joined Everton from Borussia Dortmund for £2m three years ago, has scored seven goals in 37 appearances in all competitions this season. He missed last week’s goalless draw at Stoke with a minor ankle injury but expects to be fit for the final game of the season against Portsmouth on Sunday.

Everton know they will finish eighth in the Premier League, and therefore short of European qualification, whatever the outcome but are satisfied with that position after a terrible start. They were 16th with just 15 points after 14 games but have lost just twice in 23 outings since.

“The whole team has been responsible for our play,” Pienaar said. “We have been giving 120% to show the supporters why they have been spending so much money to watch us. They deserve nice football.”

Everton team-mate Leighton Baines, who is hoping to win a call-up to the England squad, was voted players’ player of the year. The left-back has missed just four games all season.

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