Bukayo Saka Signs New Five-Year Deal with Arsenal

omidbasir- Bukayo Saka has officially signed a five-year contract extension with Arsenal, securing a weekly wage exceeding £300,000. This agreement concludes nearly a year of negotiations between the player’s representatives and club officials.

Saka joins teammates William Saliba, Gabriel, Ethan Nwaneri, and Myles Lewis-Skelly in committing to the club over the past year.

This season, Saka has netted seven goals in 33 appearances across all competitions and continues to play a pivotal role in Mikel Arteta’s squad, which has established itself as a formidable force in European football.

With Saka’s future now secured, head coach Mikel Arteta can concentrate fully on the game as his team strives for success across all four competitions. Arsenal advanced to the FA Cup fifth round over the weekend, defeating League One side Wigan, and will face Mansfield Town next.

Saka played in the recent match, where he was utilized in an unconventional role under Arteta. He was positioned as a No.10 alongside Eberechi Eze, proving highly effective in a more central position. As a result, fans are advocating for him to maintain this role for the remainder of the season, as the Gunners aim to secure the Carabao Cup against Manchester City, alongside pursuing the Premier League and Champions League titles.

There remains a significant amount of football to be played before May, starting with a midweek fixture against bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers. This match presents an opportunity for Saka and his teammates to extend their lead to seven points at the top of the table prior to Manchester City’s next match. Arteta acknowledges that he is counting on Saka to be in peak form to navigate the critical stages of the season.

In his pre-match press conference, Arteta commented, “Certain circumstances can affect players, sometimes compelling them to adapt, but Mikel [Merino] adjusted remarkably well to the nine position when we were missing Kai [Havertz] and Gabi [Jesus], and we currently face challenges with our midfielders.

“Players are stepping up, and Bukayo is one we must consider for the future. It is encouraging to see how players respond to different tactical roles.

“I believe he enjoys playing as a No.10 and the challenges it presents. He needs to prove himself, and that motivates him positively.”

Arsenal is expected to handle their upcoming match against Wolverhampton comfortably, but the following clash against fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur poses a much more significant challenge. Despite currently being in 16th place and experiencing another difficult season, Tottenham has recently parted ways with head coach Thomas Frank, appointing former Lazio, Marseille, and Juventus manager Igor Tudor until the end of the season.

Tudor has expressed his intention for the team to adopt an aggressive, front-foot style of play, especially at home. With a lively crowd anticipated at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Gunners are aware of the difficulties they may face against their local rivals, regardless of their opponents’ current form.

However, with Saka likely to be filled with confidence after signing his new five-year contract, the odds remain in Arsenal’s favor to rise to the occasion.