Arsenal have been reinvigorated under Mikel Arteta over the past 18 months - and the form of Bukayo Saka has played a pivotal part in the Gunners' recent revival.
Saka has quickly evolved into one of the club's most important players since breaking through during the 2019/20 campaign and was the driving force in the team that came agonisingly close to ending the club's multi-year exile from the Champions League last term.
The 21-year-old's stock has continued to rise in the wake of the significant role he has played in Arsenal's stunning start to the season. However, potential suitors have begun to emerge in the knowledge that Saka has just two years remaining on his current deal at the Emirates.
Manchester City are known to be avid admirers of Saka, but Arsenal have made locking their talisman down to fresh terms a priority in recent months - and although the Gunners academy graduate has yet to put pen to paper on a lucrative new contract, he has dropped the clearest hint yet over his long-term future.
Along with details over a proposed new deal, a fresh report from the Daily Mail has revealed that Saka has 'personally invested' in an executive box at the Emirates Stadium - an indicator that the Hale End star is 'fully invested' at the club.
It is claimed that Arsenal are willing to make Saka one of the club's highest-earning players and have formerly offered the England star a deal that would see him pocket close to £200,000 a week. The unsigned contract is also believed to contain a clause that would enable Saka to leave the club should they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
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As negotiations continue, the Gunners are 'confident' that they can strike an agreement that would extend Saka's deal by 'at least a further three of four years'.
Although Saka has only struck one Premier League goal so far this term, the versatile winger has already racked up four assists and was influential in Saturday's crucial 3-1 win over Tottenham in the North London derby.
The result was enough to keep Arsenal at the summit of the Premier League; just a point ahead of reigning champions Manchester City, who responded in style by thrashing Manchester United 6-3 in their own derby clash 24 hours later.
Arsenal have won seven and lost just one of their eight games in the top-flight so far this term. That run of form has convinced Gunners legend Arsene Wenger that his old club can win the title - although he has conceded that Manchester City are still in pole position to retain their domestic crown.
Wenger told BeIN Sports on Sunday: "Personally I would put Arsenal just behind Manchester City. Arsenal are the second best team to have a good chance at winning the Premiership."
