Mikel Arteta and Bukayo Saka are both eager for the Arsenal star to extend his contract at Emirates Stadium with his current deal expiring in 2027
Bukayo Saka has opened up on the big Arsenal decisions made for his future
Bukayo Saka has opened up on the big Arsenal decisions made for his future.(Image: (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
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Bukayo Saka has revealed the conversations he had with his dad about Arsenal and his future. He has been at the Gunners since he was just seven and fast forward nearly two decades, he is now arguably the club's talisman and has been for some time.
The 24-year-old was promoted to the senior team back in 2018 and quickly established himself as a key player under Unai Emery. Mikel Arteta has since taken him to the next level both on the pitch and behind the scenes with Saka clearly part of his leadership group.
As one of the more senior players in Arteta's squad, Saka almost certainly faces several important decisions regularly. Unsurprisingly, prior to joining Arsenal, the big calls were not made by him with Saka revealing what he was told clearly by his dad over where he would be playing football as a boy.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "Yeah [it was always Arsenal]. Well at that point of my career, the decisions were more made by your parents. You're just a kid, you don't really, do you know what I'm saying? My dad made it clear to me 'Arsenal is the club I want you at', and I said: 'OK, let's go.'
"He believed in Arsenal, believed in the pathway, and it was visible. You could see players, and obviously Arsene Wenger at the time - how much he believed in the academy, how much he wanted to use the academy.
"Also the class that Arsenal have and the football that they play. So all of that was just perfect for him and he just wanted me to be here."
Having grown up in north London, it is clear Saka is full of appreciation that he can play for his boyhood club on the biggest of stages.
"It's just a dream come true," he admitted. "Obviously growing up, going to the stadium and watching Arsenal play in so many different games and to now being the one on the pitch and all the people watching you and all the stuff that comes with it. Family that used to talk about Arsenal... and now it's you.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka came through the youth academy at Arsenal.(Image: (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images))
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"There's so many different aspects of it that makes it so beautiful and I'm just enjoying every moment still."
Saka will undoubtedly be looking to continue his career at Emirates Stadium with a new and improved contract expected to be agreed very soon. Arteta was asked about that and Saka in his press conference before the North London Derby against Tottenham.
For Saka, his immediate focus will be on the upcoming Spurs clash with six goal contributions in his 10 appearances against Arsenal's bitter rivals.