Saka urged to sign deal and be a ‘killer’

MIKEL ARTETA wants Bukayo Saka to sign a new contract at Arsenal — and then develop into a ‘ruthless’ forward who wins matches on his own. Saka has less than two years on his current contract and has been offered a long-term deal which would make him one of the club’s bestpaid players, amid growing interest from rival clubs including Manchester City. Arteta remains ‘very confident’ the England international will sign but wants Saka’s future resolved before it becomes a distraction. ‘I am very confident that we as a club, Bukayo, his family, his agent are very much aligned in what we want to achieve. Now it is about putting it on paper,’ said Arteta ahead of this evening’s trip to Bournemouth.

‘I would like that to get done, because I don’t want anybody distracted while we are in the middle of the season.’ Arsenal’s manager also has a clear vision of how Saka must develop. ‘He has to be a ruthless winner,’ said Arteta. ‘He needs to win matches on his own, he needs to be living this profession — “Tomorrow I’m going to kill the opponent!” ‘He needs to go to the next level. He has the right environment to do it.’

Off the pitch, Saka has proven to be a humble, likeable character. ‘Great,’ said Arteta. ‘On the pitch, (he must be) different. He’s one of the most intelligent players I’ve come across. Very well-raised and educated. And he loves football. He has all the qualities to be a success.’ Arsenal are looking to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season, with Emile Smith Rowe and new signing Fabio Vieira fit for selection. Arteta insisted he does not look at the table during the early part of the campaign. ‘I don’t start paying attention till April or March, that’s when it really starts to matter,’ he said. Arsenal are looking into holding open training sessions, an idea recently suggested by Granit Xhaka. ‘Anything that brings us closer to our supporters, we have to do it,’ said Arteta.