Arsenal taught ‘big lesson’ by Brighton, says boss Mikel Arteta
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Bukayo Saka hailed Mikel Arteta for getting "everyone dreaming again" ahead of his new contract at Arsenal being announced.
Arteta is understood to have agreed to extend his deal, which had been due to expire at the end of the season.
The 44-year-old is set for a bumper pay rise after leading Arsenal to the Premier League title in May, ending the club's 22-year wait.
It will take Arteta, who is already the longest-serving manager in England's top four divisions, beyond a decade in the Arsenal dugout.
Saka has been present for the entirety of Arteta's reign, having made his Arsenal debut the year before the Spaniard arrived in 2019.
Speaking while on England duty, Saka paid tribute to his manager and expressed his delight that Arteta has committed his future to the Gunners.
"Yeah, special manager and very important to the club," Saka told talkSPORT.
Bukayo Saka has been a fixture throughout Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal reign
"Hence why they gave him a new deal because he deserves it. And yeah, he's really transformed the club and got everyone dreaming again.
"So credit to him, he deserves it. I'm happy for him."
It has long been expected that Arteta would extend his deal, with Arsenal always clear that they wanted to keep hold of him.
Arteta wanted the focus at the end of last season to be on matters on the pitch and then over the summer on the transfer window.
However, he has offered strong hints that it was only a matter of time until an announcement is made.
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"We are all very much aligned," Arteta said last week.
"Whenever the time is right, we will get that done. There is nothing to be concerned about. We have the same ambition and the same will.
"Whenever we have time, we will get that resolved."