Arsenal forward, Bukayo Saka, has hinted he is close to signing a new contract.
The England forward says he “shares the confidence” of manager Mikel Arteta that an agreement is close.
The 20-year-old said he feels “loved” at the Emirates Stadium, where he has gone from academy graduate to an integral part of Arteta’s side.
Saka finished as Arsenal’s top goalscorer last season as he rose above the racist abuse he suffered after missing the deciding penalty in England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.
Having joined the club aged seven, Saka made his first-team debut under head coach Unai Emery in 2019 but has flourished under Arteta, making his 100th Premier League appearance in the recent win at Bournemouth.
He has two years remaining on his current deal but when asked if a new contract was in the offing for Saka earlier this month, Arteta replied: “I am very confident that we as a club and Bukayo, his family, his agent, everybody, we are very much aligned in what we want to achieve. And now it is about putting it on a piece of paper.”
Speaking after the Gunners came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 and maintain their perfect start to the Premier League campaign, Saka was asked about Arteta’s belief.
“Yes, I share his confidence,” he said.
“I really feel the love from my team-mates, my coaches and the fans as well. So yeah, I really feel loved here.”