Arsenal are seemingly 'optimistic' about extending William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli's respective contracts at the Emirates Stadium. The trio have become an integral part of the project in north London, but supporters have been somewhat worried about whether or not they will commit their long-term futures to the club.
The latter of those three admitted just last week that he's ready to agree a new deal, but is just waiting to finalise details with negotiators. Martinelli told reporters at Arsenal's pre-Zurich press conference: "I want to stay they just need to give me a pen."
"I am very happy at Arsenal. I said it many times, I love to be here. I love the city, I love everything about Arsenal so I want to stay. Yeah, just need to get a pen."
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Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta admitted just last month that he fears Saliba won't sign a new deal: "I don’t know," Arteta told football.london when asked if tying Saliba down to a new contract will take more work. "I was really impressed and at the same time surprised when I spoke to him. Obviously the way the relationship started and he went on loan, and he came back, and he went again.
"If that was a bit of damage there, because obviously he had certain expectations and something happened, but again he was so committed and so focused just to play for Arsenal that I think it took all of us by a little bit of surprise. So if I look at how he talks about the club and how much he wants to be here, I have no doubts that he wants to continue to be here."
Saka, the only Hale End graduate of the trio, is out of contract at the end of 2024, but with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City monitoring his situation, the Gunners will want to wrap up a deal - something they're confident about, according to Fabrizio Romano.
"William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli - Arsenal will push to extend all their contracts," he said on his YouTube channel. "They are optimistic in all the negotiations. The decision is to go all-in with these three players & extend their contracts as soon as possible."
Tying all three stars down to long-term deals would be a huge statement from the club that they trust their most promising players. Whether they can do exactly that, though, is a difficult question.
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