Mikel Arteta provides update on Bukayo Saka's contract situation as Arsenal get set to host rivals Spurs in PL clash

Mikel Arteta is ‘confident’ that Bukayo Saka will sign a new contract with Arsenal and has backed the winger to leave a legacy at the club.

Saka’s current deal with Arsenal runs until the summer of 2027, having signed a contract extension in 2023. Since getting promoted to the senior team, the Englishman has gone from strength to strength and emerged as the Gunners’ talisman.

During the pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League match with Tottenham Hotspur, Arteta was asked about Saka’s contract situation, to which he replied:

“Well, what I’m very aware of is that he wants to continue with us. He’s very happy that he’s in the place that he wants to continue to be and achieve everything that we want to achieve together. When that happens and how it happens, I leave that to him and the club.

When asked if he was confident that a deal would be finalized, Arteta responded:

“I prefer that word. I think it is confident because what Bukayo has admitted to me and the club, and Emeka (Obasi, Saka’s agent) as well, is that they want to continue to be here. I think it is a very healthy and powerful relationship, the journey that he had at the club and what he has become. It is something we want to maintain and I think that it is something that will leave a legacy at this football club and he needs to fulfil the role, which is great.”

Saka came through the ranks at Arsenal and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2018. To date, he has scored 76 goals and provided 72 assists for the club in 277 appearances in all competitions.

Mikel Arteta says no one can replace Arsenal’s star partnership with William Saliba after injury

Mikel Arteta admitted that no other defender in his squad can replicate the partnership that Gabriel Magalhaes has forged with William Saliba after the former picked up an injury during the international break. Arteta cited Magalhaes’ leadership and work ethic as qualities that make him unique compared to other players.

When asked if any other player could replace the Gabriel-Saliba partnership, the Spaniard said:

“No, because every player brings specific qualities and Gabi’s is his leadership, his presence and that love that he has to defend, and to transmit as well, his body language to other players. We have to do it and we have to spread that. People will step up, we’ve done it in the past, many, many times unfortunately. We played last year, the biggest and most prominent part of the season without him as well, and the team was able to cope with that.”

Magalhaes and Saliba have established themselves as one of the Premier League's best defensive duos, helping the Gunners keep multiple clean sheets. In what will be harsh news for the Gunners faithful, Arteta confirmed that the Brazilian defender will be out for weeks.

Edited by Ezekiel Olamide