Arsenal and Bukayo Saka: Just get it done

Bukayo Saka might be the story of Arsenal’s season. Predictably, though, he has just one more year to run on his contract. For the club, there is only one course of action.

The emergence of the young players might just be the story of Arsenal’s season. That might say more about the disastrous nature of the other elements of their campaign, but throughout different managers and in various periods and through a plethora of individuals, the young talent that has emerged at the club has been sensational to behold.

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One of the crucial names to have exploded onto the scene this season is 18-year-old Bukayo Saka. The winger-turned-left-back has been sensational throughout the year. He has more assists than any other player in the squad, more assists than any other teenager in the Premier League, and has established himself as a key part of Mikel Arteta’s starting XI, despite playing out of position.

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And what has been most impressive in recent weeks has been the improved consistency and reliability of his performances. Plenty of young players have brief, brilliant moments of explosive quality, but stacking solid performance after solid performance is extremely challenging. But Saka, despite his tender age and inexperience, has proven that he has the focus, concentration and skill to do precisely that.

It has been quite the year for the teenager, and there is a growing belief that he can develop into a  bonafide star in north London. His present is extremely bright, nevermind what his future could be. But there is a problem. This is Arsenal, after all. There would not an emerging superstar without a problem attached. And, predictably, it is related to that dreaded ‘c’ word: contract.

Saka is nearing the final year of his contract. In 2021, he will be free to walk out the door. There is nothing that Arsenal can do to stop him but work their damndest to agree upon a new, long-term deal. Per Arteta, that is precisely what they are currently doing:

"“The club is doing what it has to do and is having conversations, [and hopefully] we’ll get it resolved.”"

But given the threat of leaving for free and the quality of his recent performances, as is always the case when players’ contracts are allowed to enter their final stages, Saka holds all of the power. Within some reasonable range, he can essentially demand whatever he wants and Arsenal must pony up and agree to it if they want to keep him, which there is every reason to.

From the club’s perspective, there is no excuse but to get a contract done. Saka might well be the most talented player to emerge from the academy since Jack Wilshere. Any remotely professional club does not let those types of players leave on the cheap.

Consequently, as so often is the case, the contract is key. And for Arsenal, that means doing whatever is necessary to tie Saka down. He is simply too good to let go.