According to Daily Mail, Arsenal have begun negotiations with Bukayo Saka regarding a new deal at the Emirates. The young winger’s current contract expires at the end of next season, which has alerted the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United along with Bayern Munich. As a result, the Gunners are now stepping up their efforts to tie Saka down to a long-term contract.
Saka’s rapid rise to prominence
Saka was initially promoted to the first-team at the start of this season following his impressive performances for the reserve team. However, the youngster unexpectedly made his breakthrough with his performance against Manchester United as he assisted the equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
Since then, the 18-year-old has made 24 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and mustering six assists. He has been quite impressive in the cup games this season, notably being involved in five goals in just four matches in the UEFA Europa League, helping the Gunners reach the knockout rounds.
Why Arsenal must keep hold of Bukayo Saka
It is needless to point out that Saka is not a regular member of the Arsenal first-team. But, what makes him such an appealing option for Mikel Arteta is his energy and enthusiasm that can spark life into the final third. Indeed, the youngster is known for his pace that makes him a menace on the counter.
But more importantly, Saka has showcased his versatility this season, having played as left-back numerous times under Arteta. It has allowed the Spaniard to deal with the injuries of two premier fullbacks in Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac.
Saka’s ability to link-up with teammates, thanks to his technical prowess, has made it easier for him to integrate to his new role perfectly. In fairness, though, he certainly needs to brush up on his defensive skills. But, what Saka lacks in defence, he makes up for it with pace and work-rate. This had made the youngster a valuable asset for Arsenal, even in the left-back department.
Another major reason why the Gunners should keep hold of Saka is that he is an academy graduate. And unlike fellow graduates like Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock, the 18-year-old has been able to make an impact in the first-team. And with time on his side, he can only improve himself as a footballer and become a significant asset for the club within the coming years.
