Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka and William Saliba want to stay at Arsenal, in a bid to end speculation over their futures.
Both players have been in talks with the north London club since earlier in the summer over new contracts, their current deals expiring in the summer of 2027.
Sporting director Andrea Berta secured long-term deals before this season began for a number of Arsenal’s players – including Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri – but not yet for two of their most important figures.
It remains a top priority for the club – and both men are on board.
When asked about the contract negotiations for Saka and Saliba, Arteta said: ‘That never stops. But I think the collaboration between the club and what Andrea (Berta) is doing and the agent is very, very, very good.
‘I think the good thing is that the players want to remain here and they want to be a big part of the history of this club in the next few years. And that’s always positive. And Andrea will drive that and see where we go.’
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Saturday’s match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest sees the return of Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked by Spurs in June after winning the Europa League – but finishing 17th in the league.
The Australian was announced as the new Forest manager on Tuesday, and Arteta is relishing his return.
He said: ‘As a character, as a person, what he (Ange) transmits, what he brings to football, it’s a joy to watch the team and learn from it. So, yeah, very welcome to having him back.
‘With Ange, you know his biggest strength, in my opinion, is the way he’s been.
‘He has put his fingerprints in that team, and he has a very clear way of playing, very clear DNA. Extremely good to watch, learned a lot from him, and it will be a very difficult game.’
