Paul Merson has urged Arsenal to tie down both Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe to long-term deals in the summer or they run the risk of losing them in the future.
The Hale End pair have found the net 16 times between them this season and they're both integral parts of Mikel Arteta's long-term plans at the Emirates.
football.london understands that both Saka and Arteta are among those in contract talks with Arsenal right now whilst summer plans are being put into place by the club hierarchy to ensure the Gunners strengthen ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Nevertheless, there have been worrying reports that the youngster may be subject to an approach from Premier League rivals Liverpool. With that in mind, Merson desperately wants to put an end to any speculation about either star's future.
"Arsenal have two very special footballers who can go all the way to the top in Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe," he wrote in his Daily Star column.
"And both of them should be signed up now to long-term contracts or sold – because each one of them is worth £70million easily."
Merson continued by explaining what the pair add to the Arsenal team: "Saka has great feet, dribbles, gets forward, scores goals. Smith Rowe is a give and go kind of player who runs off the ball. They both play for England.
"They are top drawer and they are going to be vital to Arsenal finishing in the top four this season. But I think Arsenal should get them tied down now.
"They should be talking now about five year contracts. Get them signed, and if they don’t want to sign, then sell them in the summer.
"Don’t hang around and let them run their contracts down and let them go for next to nothing. Test the water because there will be teams chasing them."
The Gunners may well lose both Alexandre Lacazette and Hale End graduate Eddie Nketiah in the summer on free transfers as a result of letting the pair run their contracts down, and Merson doesn't want a repeat of the situation at his former club.
"If you get those two on five-year contracts, what a buzz that is if you’re an Arsenal fan. You’re thinking Arsenal are going places and the club’s future is secure,’ he added.
"Saka and Smith Rowe both scored against Brentford. Straight after the game I’m calling their agents and saying: 'How much do you want?'
"You should be giving these kids a pay rise. A big one. They’re the future of Arsenal and you need to tie them down ASAP.
"Get them tied down now. Don’t keep them waiting. That’s all it is with Arsenal sometimes – wait, wait, wait. I’m worried they will leave."
Smith Rowe only signed a new deal last summer and is tied down with the club until 2026 - thus he's understandably less of a concern to Arsenal right now. That being said, Saka's contract expires of the 2023/24 season, and the club will need to be proactive in the summer to ensure he's at the Emirates for the considerable future.
