Bukayo Saka has committed himself to Arsenal - and promised to deliver trophies.
Saka, 21, is one of English football’s hottest properties and has signed a mega £300,000-a-week deal until 2027 with his No1 target to build on this season’s title challenge.
The Gunners are anticipating a transformational summer, with a number of high-profile arrivals and departures anticipated. Players like Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney could all leave with Mikel Arteta desperate to rebuild his squad again.
The Spaniard came agonisingly close to guiding Arsenal to their first Premier League title in two decades, but after being pipped by Manchester City, changes are expected. However, Saka, 21, remains as crucial to the project as ever after a brilliant season which has seen him score 14 and register 11 assists in all competitions.
That form has now been rewarded with a new deal on improved terms. The England international was due to be out of contract at the end of next season.
In a video accompanying the announcement, Saka told fans: “Dreams don’t come true overnight, it takes time. This club has been a family to me since I was eight. This club has given me everything, and I’ve given everything back. I know how much we can achieve together. Time is on our side.”
Saka agreed the deal several weeks ago but has now put pen to paper which will give Arsenal fans a major lift. He paid tribute to the supporters for their part in Arsenal’s unexpected title challenge - and insisted they will carry on the feel good factor next season.
Saka said: “I have seen a lot of change. I’ve seen this team and the club grow, and one thing that everyone around us can be excited about is that we are going in the right direction.
“Time is on our side. You can look at our team and a lot of the players are young. We’re hungry, and a lot of us haven’t won trophies at Arsenal so we want to achieve big things. If you watch the way we all speak, we want to win and we want to win here.
“It’s been too long since this club has had Champions League football. I’m really looking forward to Tuesday and Wednesday nights in this stadium, the atmosphere is going to be special.”
Saka also paid tribute to the supporters and the special “connection” he has developed after graduating from Arsenal’s Hale End academy. They have also clinched Champions League football next season and that will be a first for Saka who admits he still has to pinch himself on how his career has progressed.
Saka said: “I’m just really happy, I’m at the right place to make the next step. It’s a beautiful club and I’m just so happy.
“The fans have been so crazy, they’ve been so good this year. Even when I see them out, we have so much in common in terms of how passionate we are for this team. Sometimes I feel like some of these fans can play the game, that’s how passionate they are.
“They would give everything; I can see it in their eyes when they’re speaking to me. It’s really nice to see that. I feel like we are all really connecting with the fans more and you can feel it in the stadium as well.
“I’m just really happy. There’s been a lot of talking and it’s been a while, but I’m here now. I think this is the right club, the right place to make the next step. It’s a beautiful club - look where we are.
“For me, it’s about achieving my personal ambitions; how much I push myself and demand from myself each game, week in, week out. Then I have all the right people around me in terms of family, and when I come to the training ground, my teammates, the coaching staff.
“I think I have everything I need to become the best player I can be, and that’s why I’m happy to stay here and be here for the future, because I really believe that we can achieve big things.”
Arteta said: Mikel Arteta added: “It’s great for the club that Bukayo has extended his contract. Retaining our best young talents is key to our continued progress and Bukayo represents such an important part of our squad now and for the future.
"As well as being a fantastic talent, Bukayo is a special person, he’s loved by us all and he is a credit to himself and his family for the hard work and commitment they have all made to get to this level today. Together with our supporters, we’re so looking forward to enjoying Bukayo’s continued development with us in the years to come.”
Arsenal also tied down Aaron Ramsdale to a new deal last week and are pushing to do the same with Martin Odegaard and William Saliba.
