Mikel Arteta defended Gabriel Martinelli following criticism over the Conor Bradley incident against Liverpool, while remaining tight-lipped about Bukayo Saka's contract announcement after Arsenal's FA Cup win
Patrick Austen-Hardy Senior Sports Journalist
07:36, 12 Jan 2026
Bukayo Saka is set to sign a new contract
Bukayo Saka is set to sign a new contract(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta kept his cards close to his chest when quizzed about whether Bukayo Saka's reported new Arsenal contract would be confirmed in the coming days.
Reports emerged on Friday afternoon suggesting Saka had agreed to a fresh five-year deal with the north London club, which would tie him to the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2031.
Although details of the contract have been circulating for days, the club has yet to make an official announcement. When pressed on whether one was imminent, Arteta remained coy. The Gunners manager was asked about Saka's situation following the emphatic 4-1 away win against Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round.
READ MORE: Mohamed Salah could miss three more Liverpool games even if he doesn't reach AFCON finalREAD MORE: When is the FA Cup draw? TV channel, live stream, ball numbers as Liverpool takes on Barnsley
Responding to questions about an impending statement, Arteta simply said: "When we have something to announce, we will do it."
Back in September, Arteta was far more forthcoming about his hopes of securing Saka's long-term commitment to the club. The former Manchester City assistant manager said: "I would love that [if he signed a new deal].", reports Football London.
"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."
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta discussed his star man's future(Image: )
Meanwhile, Arteta and Saka's attention was firmly fixed on Fratton Park rather than the boardroom. With top-flight football making way for the world's oldest cup competition, Arsenal needed to overcome John Mousinho's Championship outfit.
The hosts struck first through a superb effort from Colby Bishop, but ironically drew Arsenal level themselves. Portsmouth defender Andre Dozzell turned the ball into his own net five minutes later to restore parity.
From that point onwards, Gabriel Martinelli took centre stage. He fired the north Londoners into the lead in the 25th minute, before adding two further strikes to complete a hat-trick on the South Coast.
Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kits
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
From $100
LFC.com
See the deal
Liverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.
Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.
Article continues below
The result kept Arsenal's quadruple ambitions alive, with Chelsea awaiting in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final. Following the match, Martinelli, who had faced criticism for pushing injured Conor Bradley off the pitch during the 0-0 home stalemate with Liverpool, received plaudits from Arteta.
The Arsenal manager, whilst also acknowledging Martinelli's recent struggles, said: "That's why to play for a big club, you need a big personality because it can be bad... it can be an action that you miss, it can be something that costs you a game.
"And three days later, there is a game. So you need to lift yourself up and make it count. I love it. Gabi, in every context that you throw him in, he plays, he doesn't play. He performs well, not well. Today, he scored three goals. Tomorrow, he's going to train 100 miles an hour, for sure. He's not going to change that. And that's Gabi."