Latest news from Arsenal includes fan reaction after it was revealed that Gabriel Martinelli has agreed a new four-and-a-half-year deal to extend his stay in north London
Despite losing to Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round, there was some positive news for Arsenal fans on Friday night, with Gabriel Martinelli agreeing to commit his future to the club.
football london understands that the Brazilian international has agreed a new contract to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium and all that remains is an official announcement that the four and a half year contract on the table has been signed.
This development is not surprising, considering Martinelli’s simple request to Arsenal: “I want to stay, they just have to give me a pen,” he revealed in early November. “I’m very happy at Arsenal. I’ve said it many times, I love it here. I love the city, I love everything about Arsenal, so I want to stay.”
READ ALSO : How Manchester United should play against Reading in the FA Cup
According to some reports, the striker will be one of the club’s biggest earners, earning £180,000 a week, which would give him an annual salary of £9.3m. Now, while the reaction to Martinelli’s signing of a new contract on social media has been largely positive, some fans are already clamoring for more announcements.
Although the Gunners signed Leandro Kiwior and Leandro Trossard this month and are being linked with a move for Moises Caicedo, the move under Martinelli has led some fans to demand that Bukayo Saka and William Saliba follow suit in the near future.
On Twitter, @tyler30841388 said: “Martinelli is done. Saliba and Saka are next”, @Dredan22 had a similar message: “Martinelli signing a new contract is brilliant news. Hope Saliba and Saka are next”, and @KevTimoney said: “He found that pen. Big push, new deal for Martinelli. Saka and Saliba next would be good”.
Furthermore, @dylanwalsh_ said: “Absolutely fantastic news. Martinelli has been one of the best strikers in the Premier League this season and securing his future is huge for Arsenal. Saka and Saliba to follow” and @LionKingOnIce went a step further by proposing a new arrival: “Martinelli ready, Saka and Saliba to follow, put Caicedo and it looks good.”
But what are the chances of these Arsenal fans having their wishes granted? Well, football london sums up the latest contract news involving Saka and Saliba, as well as what Arteta had to say about how the negotiations are progressing.
Bukayo Saka
football london understands that Arsenal have activated a one-year extension option on Bukayo Saka’s contract, as the 21-year-old’s contract was due to expire in the summer but will now run until summer 2024. However, there are plans to ensure the winger’s future is in North London.
The Gunners remain in talks with Saka over a possible extension and it is understood they are making positive progress. Furthermore, the noises coming from Arteta’s side reflect the confidence Arsenal have in being able to strike new terms with the academy graduate.
What Arteta said: “I’m very confident that we as a club and Bukayo, his family, his agent, everyone, are very much aligned on what we want to achieve,” the Spaniard said in August. “And now it’s about putting it on a piece of paper.
“I would like that done because I don’t want the player or anyone else to be distracted while we’re in the middle of the season. But these things take time and they need to go through the right process and I think the process has been really good.”
Guilherme Saliba
As with Saka, football london understands that Arsenal have triggered the option to extend William Saliba’s contract by a further year, meaning his contract will also expire in the summer of 2024 instead of 2023, putting the club in a stronger position regarding the negotiations. .
Despite reports of a rejected contract offer and Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain monitoring the situation, football london also understands that talks are progressing well over a new deal in a bid to secure the Frenchman’s services to long term.
What Arteta said: “What I knooooooooooooow is the player is very happy, the player wants to be here and that’s the main thing,” the Gunners manager told football london before seeing his side record a 4-0 win 2 over Brighton & Hove Albion. “We have some that we are willing to extend the contract. Willy is one of them.
“I think he’s shown in the months he’s been with us the quality and personality he has to play at the level we want. We’re trying to do that because we know he can be a very important part of our plans.”