Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he is "very confident" Bukayo Saka will commit his long-term future to the club by signing a new contract.
Saka took part in the team's training session and looked upbeat amid talks about his future. The England winger has two years remaining on his current deal, but Saka's emergence as a key figure in Arteta's side has convinced Arsenal to open talks over improved terms.
The 20-year-old finished as Arsenal's top scorer last season.
"I am very confident that we as a club and Bukayo, his family, his agent, everybody, we are very much aligned in what we want to achieve. And now it is about putting it on a piece of paper," Arteta said.
Saka has been instrumental in Arsenal making a flying start to the Premier League season with two successive wins.
Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus marked his home debut for Arsenal with two goals and two assists in a 4-2 win against Leicester after the team had opened their campaign with victory against Palace.
With the prospect of Saka playing in the World Cup in Qatar potentially adding to value, Arteta is keen for the star to put pen to paper as soon as possible.
"I would like that to get done. I don't want the player or anybody distracted while we are in the middle of the season," Arteta said ahead of Saturday's game against Bournemouth.
"But those things take time and they have to go through the right process, and I think the process has been really good."
-
Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring the second goal in the 4-2 Premier League victory against Leicester City on August 13, 2022. EPA -
Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring the first goal of the game. PA -
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal scores the opener. EPA -
Gabriel Jesus scores the second goal. AP -
Jesus celebrates his second. EPA -
Arsenal's French defender William Saliba after scoring an own goal. AFP -
Granit Xhaka celebrates scoring Arsenal's third goal. Reuters -
Leicester's James Maddison after scoring their second goal. EPA -
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Granit Xhaka. Reuters
