Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli has claimed that teammate Bukayo Saka will "for sure" stay at the Emirates Stadium amid speculation over a new deal.
The futures of the two 21-year-olds have been major talking points at London Colney, with Arsenal working to tie Saka, Martinelli and William Saliba down to fresh terms as a matter of priority this season.
A few months after claiming that he "just needed to get a pen", Martinelli committed his long-term future to the Premier League leaders with a new deal until the end of the 2026-27 season.
Having secured Martinelli's signature for a few more years, Arsenal have since ramped up talks with Saka and Saliba, both of whom are due to become free agents in 2024.
Manchester City and Liverpool are reported to be keeping tabs on Saka's situation, but Mikel Arteta remains optimistic about the Gunners' chances of keeping their academy graduate on the books.
© Reuters
Speaking to the press ahead of Thursday's Europa League last-16 first leg against Sporting Lisbon, Martinelli revealed that he, Saka and Saliba often joke about their respective contract situations, and he is totally confident that the England international will stay put.
"I will be happy because he is a very, very good player, one of the best young players in the world. He is at his house, you know," football.london quotes Martinelli as saying.
"Arsenal is his home and for sure he is happy. And we will be happy as well if he stays and signs a new deal. We always have some jokes - me, him and [William] Saliba. But it's up to him. But he will stay for sure. He loves the club."
Still going from strength to strength under Arteta, Saka's efforts have been invaluable in Arsenal's unexpected Premier League title charge this term, coming up with 10 goals and nine assists in 26 top-flight games.
The Hale End product now has 34 goals and 38 assists to boast from 165 games in red and white, and he is the sixth-youngest player to reach 50 Premier League goal involvements.
© Reuters
When questioned on Saka and Saliba's contract situations last month, Arteta cut an optimistic figure and claimed that everyone in his ranks was "really willing to continue" at the Emirates.
"Part of the plan is to extend the contract of our biggest talents at the club and commit them for the future and we are trying to do that. We have started with Gabby (Martinelli) which is good news," Arteta said.
"The others will be done whenever we can, but we have to agree on that. I see everybody really happy and really willing to continue with the club. But obviously, we have to meet everyone's expectations and timing is key on that."
Due to injuries to Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, Martinelli could start through the middle against Sporting in Thursday's first leg, although Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson are candidates to come in for Saka should the Englishman be granted a rest.
Arteta offered an update on the condition of his injured trio - as well as illness victim Kieran Tierney - in his portion of the press conference.
Ben Knapton
