The signing of Bukayo Saka sends a strong Arsenal signal for a perfect start to the crucial summer
Securing the future of their figurehead is the perfect start to a summer Mikel Arteta has described as “crucial” for Arsenal.
Bukayo Saka is crucial to the next phase of Arteta’s project. Tying him to a four-year deal sends the right signal to their ambition to catch up – and topple – Manchester City after the disappointment of missing out on the title this season.
Saka was entering the final year of his contract and if he hadn’t agreed to a new deal Arsenal would have been in a tough spot this summer. City and a number of Europe’s top clubs have been eyeing his situation but the prospect of the 21-year-old’s departure was unthinkable.
His new contract, worth up to £300,000 a week and making him the club’s highest-paid player, is a real testament to Arsenal’s intention to challenge again next season. The Gunners have already signed Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale and Gabriel Magalhaes to new contracts to secure the futures of the players who brought them so close to the title.
Future secured: Bukayo Saka has signed a new four-year deal as Arsenal’s highest-paid player
/ Arsenal FC via Getty ImagesBut Saka is the jewel in her crown and his deal sends a strong signal to both her rivals and summer transfer targets about her desire to return to the top of English football. Discussions were taking place in the background with the England star over a new contract during this season and a verbal agreement was reached in February.
The terms reflect his status as one of the best players in the Premier League and underscore the trust Arsenal and Arteta have in him.
Saka has made great strides for both club and country this season. He shone for England at the World Cup and played for Arsenal with 14 goals and 11 assists.
No other player in the squad was involved in more goals. As if aware of his new role as leader, Saka has begun to emulate club legend Thierry Henry with his celebrations.
Bukaya Saka at Arsenal – the story so far…
The challenge for Saka now is to take his game to the next level. He has improved his productivity in front of goal every year and Arsenal believe he can score 20-25 goals a season. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has set the bar for wingers with numbers like that but Saka has the potential to match in the future.
The Arsenal team is primed for him to continue to thrive. Gabriel Jesus leads the line and, like Roberto Firmino in his Liverpool pomp, creates space for the wingers to flourish.
Saka is the jewel in Arsenal’s crown and his deal sends a strong signal to both rivals and summer transfer targets
Rising to become the club’s highest-paid player will increase the pressure on Saka but those close to the winger insist he can handle it.
He has already mastered so much in his career and loves a challenge. After missing England’s crucial penalty in the Euro 2020 final, he returned to Arsenal and asked Arteta if he could take penalties for the club. Even after missing a crucial penalty at West Ham last month, Saka remains undeterred and remains the top scorer. The pain only shook him up more.
Arteta is aware of Saka’s way of thinking and therefore often tries to get the best out of him with tough love. He’s tirelessly pushing the winger and demanding so much because he believes Saka can truly become one of the best players in the world.
A key part of Arsenal’s project is to retain its best young players. The Gunners are in talks to sign William Saliba and are ready to start contract negotiations with captain Martin Odegaard. Securing Saka’s future was vital to their chances of defeating City.
He has been at Arsenal since he was eight and is universally loved by everyone at the club. Comparisons have been made between Saka and David Rocastle. Saka is well aware of Rocastle’s legacy and by accepting the number 7 shirt he opened up about the Arsenal legend.
Saka still has a long way to go to reach Rocastle status, but he has already laid the groundwork to become a hero at his youth club. The next four years promise to be an exciting period in his career as he reaches his peak.
Arsenal insiders have noted how Saka has found his voice and steadily become the leader in the dressing room. His dream has always been to play in the Champions League and fight for big trophies and now the stage is set for him to achieve that ambition.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/bukayo-saka-contract-arsenal-b1083051.html The signing of Bukayo Saka sends a strong Arsenal signal for a perfect start to the crucial summer
