Paul Merson has called on his former club Arsenal to avoid repeating past mistakes by allowing their star players to run down their contracts at the Emirates Stadium.
In recent times, the Gunners have lost some top-class players on free transfers after their contracts in north London expired, with Aaron Ramsey's move to Juventus just one of the examples.
Right now, Mikel Arteta has a handful of youngsters who look as if they have the potential to reach the top level one day, if they are not there already. Bukayo Saka is one of those players.
The 20-year-old winger is arguably Arsenal's most dangerous attacking players in the squad at the moment - with the England international scoring six goals and providing four assists in the Premier League so far this term.
Saka still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium, but the Hale End academy product has been linked with a move to Liverpool and Manchester City in recent weeks.
According to a report from ESPN last week, the Premier League's top two have 'both been watching the progress' of Saka and could look to pounce if Arsenal fail to make the Champions League by finishing in the top four this season.
The Gunners, of course, will be hugely reluctant to sell Saka - especially to a Premier League rival - but Merson has now warned his former club to avoid previous mistakes by allowing the England winger's contract to keep running down.
While not directly speaking about Saka, Merson makes a strong point and issues a clear warning to the likes of Arteta and Edu.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "What Arsenal now need to start doing is working on not letting happen what has happened too many times in the past.
"As an Arsenal fan, you are watching these bright young stars in action, and then all of a sudden, you see in the press that they've only got a year left on their contracts.
"That cannot happen anymore. They have got to keep topping up their players' contracts. They have good young players, and they need to keep on top of their contracts.
"They cannot get lazy and have players run down their contracts and eventually leaving on a free. They need to show they have learnt from the mistakes of the past and get these players tied down so that they are playing their best years at Arsenal."
Merson also went on to speak about how he thinks Arsenal have a bright future and the former Gunners midfielder has backed his old club to have a strong 2022/23 season should they make smart signings in the summer.
He added: "They have got a good, young squad and if you can add another couple of top-quality signings for next season, I think there are happier times to come for Arsenal - positive times are around the corner."
