Will Bukayo Saka sign a new Arsenal contract?

Mikel Arteta confirmed after the Aston Villa match that Bukayo Saka wasn’t at 100% due to a slight hip issue, yet he plugged away for Arsenal, got kicked to pieces, and scored the winning goal.

How can you not be charmed by this young man? One who plays through the pain barrier, walks out onto that pitch with a smile on his face and leaves nothing on the pitch for the club he holds so dear.

And as much as Arsenal supporters wax lyrical about his outstanding talent and elite mentality, that’s starting to echo elsewhere. Notching more goals and assists than any other player under the age of 21 in the Premier League this season, it’s hard to ignore him. He’s making serious noise.

Watching Liverpool run out 2-0 winners at the Emirates, and Manchester City sneak a 2-1 win not before that, you can’t help but wonder whether or not Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola put an arm round Saka and asked whether he’s ever been to the north. Does he like scouse? Ever fancy an Eccles cake?

Will Bukayo Saka sign a new Arsenal contract? David Ornstein reveals that talks are underway for a new long-term deal

The point is that his signature becomes an increasingly prized one with every passing week. He’s one of the best players in the entire Premier League, not just Arsenal, and as he continues reaffirming his importance to this team, the desire for him to stay, ideally forever, grows stronger.

With a contract running until 2023 that has an additional extra year on top, the time is coming for Arsenal to reward Saka with a deal more financially befitting of his value to the team. Currently earning around £30k-per-week, he, like Emile Smith Rowe had, is due an upgrade both in terms of salary and in length.

It doesn’t matter what numbers are on the contract. Let him pencil in his own figure. Ask him what colour Rolls Royce he’d liked parked on his private island, too.

But is it as straightforward as that?

David Ornstein has revealed that initial talks have taken place between the club and Saka’s representatives, with the topic of his contract being a high priority. Formal discussions and an offer are due to arrive soon.

How much Arsenal will pay him and whether or not the club will be in the Champions League are said to be important factors in the decision, which will of course get a few people worried: what happens if Arsenal miss out on the top four and City drop another £100m+ on the table?

1. Arsenal will not sell
2. Bukayo Saka will not leave

Yes, as confidently as one can be about something that is yet to happen, Saka will sign a new contract. Of course he will. There will be stories leaking – the result of his agent who is notoriously unpleasant to work with – where Saka will be linked with X, Y and Z, but it will all be positioning from his agent to squeeze more money out of the club.

Saka is Arsenal through and through. A local lad in every sense. It would be foolish to ever suggest he’s spend his entire career here, as his ambitions must be met by the club at the very minimum, but on this occasion there is no conceivable way he departs.

For the sake of his career the best option is to stay where he is loved, developing well, playing every week and enjoying his football. There is no agent around who will be able to persuade Saka to run down his Arsenal contract or leave in the summer.

Delusional? Head in the clouds? Arrogant? Jinxing it?

He’s not going anywhere. He just isn’t. Not yet, anyway.