Bukayo Saka has revealed that he is confident of signing a contract extension with Arsenal. The 20-year-old most recently signed a four-year extension in the summer of 2020 and since then has gone on to become one of the Gunners’ most important and influential players. With just two years remaining on his deal, Arsenal are keen to tie him down to a new one and speaking earlier this month, Mikel Arteta admitted he was positive about the chances of getting fresh terms sorted.
Mikel Arteta said: “I am very confident that we as a club and Bukayo, his family, his agent, everybody, we are very much aligned in what we want to achieve. And now it is about putting it on a piece of paper.”
Now with speculation rife after links to Manchester City and Liverpool this summer, Saka himself has moved to provide more clarity on his future.
Bukayo Saka said: “Yes, I share his confidence. I share that confidence, that is it!”
The key to Saka’s mood is the close relationship he has with Arteta. The Spaniard has been effusive in his praise of Saka throughout his nascent Arsenal career and has consistently challenged him to go to the next level.
Bukayo Saka said: “A lot. I feel like he’s always there for me. He knows when to speak to me. It’s not too much, but it’s not too little, and the different bits of advice he gives me are special, and it makes such a difference.”
By his own very high standards, Saka has had a slow start to the season, but having registered his first assist of the season for Martin Odegaard’s equaliser against Fulham on Saturday, the 20-year-old is confident he can push on.
Bukayo Saka said: “I think I’m growing, going from strength to strength each game. I think Fulham was my best game yet, and I want to kick on from that now.”