Mikel Arteta and Arsenal return to Premier League action tonight.Mikel Arteta and Arsenal return to Premier League action tonight.
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal return to Premier League action tonight. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Fulham make the trip to the Emirates Stadium tonight to take on Arsenal with all eyes on the imminent return of Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal host Fulham at the Emirates Stadium tonight and all eyes will be on winger Bukayo Saka, who is expected to make his long anticipated return from a hamstring injury in a huge boost to Mikel Arteta.
Saka hasn’t played since limping off against Crystal Palace in December but is ‘ready to go’ according to the Gunners manager this week. There is not only injury talk surrounding the England international but a fresh contract update that has emerged just hours ahead of kick off against Fulham.
Football Insider this morning have claimed that Arsenal are readying a ‘mega-money’ new deal to be offered to Saka ‘in the coming weeks’. The 23-year-old is currently tied down at the Emirates Stadium until 2027 but the club wants to extend that deal to become an even more long term contract.
Arsenal determined to agree new Bukayo Saka contract
The way that Arsenal have struggled without the winger’s impetus in recent months is thought to have underlined the importance of Saka to the club. The player is a product of the Gunners youth academy and has already racked up 250 appearances for the north London outfit.
The report adds that there are also moves being made behind-the-scenes to offer youngster Ethan Nwaneri a new contract with the 18-year-old stepping up to the plate in Saka’s absence and impressing. The teenager has made 29 appearances in all competitions this season with eight goals to his name.
The outlet claims that Premier League rivals Manchester City are weighing up a ‘potential swoop’ for the winger, who already looks capable of more than a bench-warming spot. Arsenal hope a new deal will quash that transfer talk.
The BBC had reported last week that Arsenal were preparing to open ‘formal talks’ with Saka, who was not part of the England squad on international duty over the break. The player’s last Gunners deal was signed in 2022 and is understood to be worth a huge £10 million per season.
Andrea Berta tasked with key contract negotiations at Emirates Stadium
Saka is not the only player in need of fresh contract talks at the Emirates Stadium. Thomas Partey and Jorginho will see their current deals expire at the end of the season and look set to depart as free agents.
Elsewhere, winger Leandro Trossard has just 12 months left on his Arsenal contract and is already attracting some transfer talk ahead of the summer. Key defensive duo William Saliba and Gabriel join Saka in having two years left on their contracts come the summer.
Incoming technical director Andrea Berta will be instrumental in all of these talks. Speaking about the former Atletico Madrid man’s influence, Arteta said: “What I’m very confident about is how he’s going to make everybody better. Because the way he is, the personality he has, how passionate he has and what he does – that’s what we need. We need new blood with people that are so ambitious that they are so attached to the football club and what we already do but want to add value.
“It’s a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team.”
In other news, Arsenal are organising ‘formal talks’ for a £83m bagsman as Fabrizio Romano confirms Man Utd stance.