Bukayo Saka and the five Arsenal stars set for new contract talks | OneFootball

Rising stars Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly need to be tied down

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Bukayo Saka is one of a number of senior players that Arsenal want to tie down to a new contract.

Gabriel and William Saliba will be in the same situation this summer, with the pair establishing themselves as, arguably, the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League.

Standard Sport reported last year how Arsenal held preliminary contract talks with Gabriel, who has been linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia this summer.

Gabriel and William Saliba

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Talks are yet to start with Saka or Saliba, with the latter saying last week how he is relaxed about the situation.

“There is no rush at the minute. I’m happy here. That’s it,” said Saliba. “I’ve been here for two years and a half as well. There is nothing. I’m happy here and I want to continue here.

“I want to win big things with Arsenal. If you leave this club without winning anything the fans will forget about you. I want to win big things here.”

The new contracts form part of a sizeable in-tray for Andrea Berta, who is set to become Arsenal’s sporting director.

The club also want to tie down academy stars Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly after their breakthrough seasons.

The pair signed professional contracts when they turned 17, but the rules in place meant they could only be three-year deals.

Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Lewis-Skelly, who was called up to the senior England squad last week, can sign a longer contract as he is now 18 and the same will apply to Nwaneri when he turns 18 on Friday.

Arsenal will be desperate to tie down Saka, who has come through the club’s academy to become the team’s star player and the poster boy for Arteta’s project.

The Gunners have struggled recently without the winger, who has been out of action since December after tearing his hamstring.

Saka is progressing well in his recovery and will look to increase his workload during the current international break.

Arsenal are 12 points off Liverpool in the Premier League title race, but the Gunners have a huge Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid next month.