Arsenal: Top 3 priorities for Mikel Arteta to move this club forward

2. Bukayo Saka extension

Some might see this as too high on the list, especially placing it above the need for a holding midfielder, but the other thing to consider is that this can be done right now. Or at least, it can be worked on right now which apparently it is. Now it just needs to be completed.

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The No. 1 reason why the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sale isn’t so depleting is that we have two teenagers in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli who are ready to take the role immediately. Truly they should be starting already.

With two teenagers, it’s a sure-fire bet. And while I have all the faith in the world in Martinelli, having just one teenager to fill Aubameyang’s shoes seems unnecessarily dicey. At the same time, we don’t want to have to sign anyone to help out. Hence the need to preserve Saka.

More than that though, as I put it earlier this year, this is our chance to finally replace Serge Gnabry. A teenage winger sensation who was raised at the club. Saka has all the makings of a superstar and he’s either going to reach those heights at the Emirates, or we’re going to have to watch him reach those heights somewhere else. I know which one I choose.

Finally, an eternal No. 1.