Mikel Arteta remained tight-lipped when quizzed on whether Bukayo Saka's reported new Arsenal contract would be confirmed imminently. Reports emerged on Friday afternoon claiming Saka had committed his future to the north London outfit with a fresh five-year deal. The arrangement would tie him to the Emirates Stadium through to the summer of 2031.
Despite widespread coverage of the agreement appearing several days ago, the club are yet to formally unveil the news. When pressed on whether an official statement was forthcoming, Arteta remained characteristically guarded. The Gunners manager faced questions regarding Saka's situation immediately after Sunday's win at Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round.
Pressed on whether confirmation was approaching, Arteta swiftly responded: "When we have something to announce, we will do it."
Back in September, Arteta was considerably more forthcoming about his ambitions to secure Saka's long-term commitment to the club.
At the time, he declared: "I would love that [if he signed a new deal].
"From everything that I know, again he's a player that is extremely happy and proud to be [here] and to have the role that he has in the football club.
"He's been developing in a natural way like they always do. Everyone knows how important Bukayo is for us so hopefully we can do it."
Meanwhile, Arteta and Saka's attention was diverted from boardroom matters and fixed firmly on Fratton Park.
With top-flight football pausing for the world's oldest cup competition, Arsenal faced the challenge of overcoming Portsmouth and secured a one-sided victory after an early scare.
The home side struck first through a superb effort from Colby Bishop, but ironically it was Portsmouth who restored parity for the Gunners. Andre Dozzell turned the ball into his own net five minutes later to draw Arsenal level.
From that point onwards, Gabriel Martinelli took centre stage.
He put the north Londoners in front in the 25th minute before adding two further strikes to complete his first senior hat-trick.
The result kept Arsenal's hopes alive across four competitions, with the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea looming next.