Arsenal Identify Next Contract Priorities After Bukayo Saka Extension
Arsenal have just taken what can only be considered a massive step in securing their future by agreeing a brand new longterm contract with Bukayo Saka.
The 24 year old England international and homegrown star , a Hale End academy graduate, has signed on the dotted line and committed his future to the club right through to the summer of 2031 – a five year extension to his old deal which was set to run out in 2027.
This move just locks Saka in when he’s still very much at the top of his game, effectively giving him a long service contract in recognition of his status as the face of Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.
Saka’s stats are undeniably impressive – he’s already bagged 77 goals and 77 assists in his 291 senior appearances for the Gunners, and this season he’s got 7 goals and 6 assists already under his belt in just a quarter of the season – 28 games.
On top of that he’s a vital part of the team off pitch as well as on, a vital asset to the club’s marketing and branding efforts.
Why Saka’s Extension is such a Big Win for Arsenal
Sports Journalist Charles Watts had the following to say about the move: ” I’ve been saying it for six months now, this was always going to happen – Saka was never in doubt. Every indication from everyone who is anyone has been that this was going to happen, and it’s just been a case of when, not if.”
He added: “I mean he’s been a Gunner for as long as anyone can remember. He is Arsenal. He is the main man. The type of player that makes the team tick and the face of the club under Mikel Arteta. One of England’s best players, when you consider his age – just 24. Saka’s got it all, on and off the pitch, he is the total package.. the ultimate modern day footballer.”
Saka joins a few other key players like William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ethan Nwaneri, and Myles Lewis-Skelly who have all put pen to paper on long term deals since the last season. Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta has made it clear that getting his players committed on long term deals is a top priority.
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Arsenal’s Next Contract Priorities – Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice
Now that Saka is well and truly tied down, the focus will shift to those players who are nearing the final 18 months of their current contracts – or even a bit longer. According to Watts, it’s clear what Arsenal’s top priorities are – and Martin Odegaard is not even in the running.
“I think it’s clear, next up for Arsenal will be Timber and Declan Rice.” Watts said “Jurrien’s already making very good progress, I think we can expect that one to be wrapped up quickly. Declan Rice on the other hand will be a very big deal for Arsenal – a world class midfielder who is one of the very best in the world.”
- Jurrien Timber – On of the more valuable defenders in our squad, who joined us on a permanent deal when he did, is making rapid progress in his talks with the club. His ability to play in multiple positions, including this weekend potentially at left back against the Nottingham Forrest, is just one of the reasons why his importance to the team has grown so much.
- Declan Rice – A world class midfielder who we signed for a pretty penny in 2023. He’s taken his game to a whole new level, one of the best players in the world – and still on his initial contract. Arsenal will need to move to keep him.
Other Big Names to Watch: Martinelli, Trossard, Raya and Odegaard
While Timber and Rice are top of the list, there are a few others who definitely need to be considered:
- Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard – they’ve both still got about a year and a half to run on their deals, although Martinelli’s got an option to extend for another two-and-a-half years which might take a bit of the pressure off. Meanwhile, Trossard’s is relatively older, so his contract situation isn’t as pressing as it is for some of the others.
- David Raya (his deal runs out in 2028): He’s not as high a priority as some of the others, but still someone to keep an eye on.
- Martin Odegaard (extended just last year, his deal is up in 2028): As captain and all that, you’d expect his contract situation to be a priority, but from what we can see it’s looked at as being a bit less pressing at the moment – and possibly a bit more complicated.
Arsenal’s new strategy under Berta is all about protecting their key players, so they can keep pushing for the title. With Saka signed up, it’s now all about getting Timber and Rice on board and building a side that can really go the distance.
By getting its contract business sorted as early as possible, Arsenal are putting themselves in a great position to have a serious crack at the big prizes in the Premier League and beyond. So, we should expect more good news before too long – fans can start to get excited.
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Arsenal Identify Next Contract Priorities After Bukayo Saka Extension