sport news Arsenal must cash in on dream start and tie down Bukayo Saka, William Saliba ... trends now

sport news Arsenal must cash in on dream start and tie down Bukayo Saka, William Saliba ... trends now
sport news Arsenal must cash in on dream start and tie down Bukayo Saka, William Saliba ... trends now

sport news Arsenal must cash in on dream start and tie down Bukayo Saka, William Saliba ... trends now

Longevity is the buzz word at Arsenal. Yes, they are enjoying the here and now following a run of seven wins in eight matches that leaves them top of the Premier League.

But they aren’t patting themselves on the back; with their promising start comes recognition that this isn’t time for self-congratulation. Instead, there is acceptance that the club finds itself in a moment they cannot afford to let slip.

This young Arsenal team — one of the youngest in Europe’s top five divisions — appear to be on the brink of something special. Ensuring it evolves, not fades, is a key motivation right now.

Arsenal have one of the youngest sides in European football, and they must secure young stars

Arsenal have one of the youngest sides in European football, and they must secure young stars

Manager Mikel Arteta has led the Gunners to a great start, and it could be a long-term project

Manager Mikel Arteta has led the Gunners to a great start, and it could be a long-term project

MATCH FACTS 

Arsenal (4-3-3): Ramsdale 6.5; White 7 (Tomiyasu 89min), Saliba 8, Gabriel 6.5, Zinchenko 7 (Tierney 73, 6.5); Partey 8 (Lokonga 73, 6.5), Xhaka 8; Saka 7.5, Odegaard 7 (Vieira 80), Jesus 8.5 (Nketiah 80) Martinelli 7.5. 

Scorers: Partey 20, Jesus 49, Xhaka 67. 

Booked: Saliba, Martinelli. 

Manager: Mikel Arteta 8.

Tottenham (3-4-3): Lloris 5; Romero 6.5, Dier 6, Lenglet 5.5 (Sanchez 71, 5.5); Royal 5, Bentancur 7, Hojbjerg 6 (Skipp 75, 6), Perisic 6.5 (Bissouma 71, 6); Richarlison 6.5 (Sessegnon 71, 5.5), Kane 7.5, Son 6 (Doherty 72, 6). 

Scorer: Kane 31 (pen). 

Booked: Dier. 

Sent off: Royal.

Manager: Antonio Conte 6.

Referee: Anthony Taylor 7. 

Attendance: 60,278.

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The priority is to extend Bukayo Saka’s contract. There is confidence from Arsenal that a deal for the England international to extend by at least a further three or four years can be struck.

A contract, which would make Saka one of the best-paid players at the club, has been formally offered but is yet to be signed. The offer would guarantee Saka close to £200,000 a week — a huge amount for a 21-year-old. But there are a few things Saka should consider before he signs.

First, is he underselling himself? Phil Foden recently signed a deal at Manchester City worth £225,000 a week.

Second, would he benefit from a contractual clause that facilitates any departure should Arsenal — as unlikely as it seems right now — fail to qualify for the Champions League? But from a purely footballing point of view, why would Saka consider leaving? There isn’t a more exciting team in England.

Saka’s personal investment in taking an executive box at the Emirates should serve as encouragement that he is fully invested in life at Arsenal.

The club also see extending William Saliba’s contract as a priority.

The 21-year-old’s performances at the heart of Mikel Arteta’s defence have earned rave reviews. Jamie Carragher was the latest to tweet his appreciation during the France international’s brilliant display in Saturday’s win over Tottenham. You can also expect the

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