Fabrizio Romano: Bukayo Saka Wants to Stay at Arsenal Forever Amid Contract Update

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka wants to stay at the Emirates Stadium for the remainder of his career and there is optimism that he will commit his long-term future to the Premier

League table-toppers in the coming weeks after edging towards signing a new contract, senior reporter Fabrizio Romano has revealed in his latest newsletter.

The Gunners tied William Saliba down to a new five-year deal in September, which ended speculation that the central defender could walk away from north London in the coming months, but boss Mikel Arteta and

sporting director Andrea Berta have remained determined to convince another key member of the preferred starting line-up to put pen-to-paper.

Gunners Want Saka on Board for Remainder of Career

Arsenal and Saka are aligned in their desire for him to stay with the Premier League title-chasers for the rest of his career, according to Romano, and there is a serious possibility of that coming to fruition after contract discussions have been fruitful. The respected journalist, when asked whether the wide forward could remain in north London for the majority of his playing days, wrote in his GMS newsletter sent to subscribers on Friday lunchtime:

“We can’t predict the future, but that is the intention. Saka and Arsenal are very happy together, also for the long-term.”

Arsenal have been determined to convince Saka to sign on the dotted line after he has moved towards the final 18 months of his current agreement, which allows him to pocket up to £295,000-per-week when bonuses are triggered, and there is confidence that he will commit his future to the Premier League leaders.

The England international, who found the back of the net during the Three Lions’ World Cup qualifying win over Serbia on Thursday, has given no indications that he wants to embark on a fresh challenge in upcoming transfer windows after remaining among the first names on the Gunners’ team sheet when fully fit and has been described as ‘world-class’ by Rio Ferdinand.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Bukayo Saka registered three shots, made two accurate crosses and found the back of the net during England’s victory against Serbia

Romano, speaking on GMS’ Market Madness podcast last week, confirmed that there is an expectation that Saka will agree fresh terms soon after negotiations have been made a priority by Arsenal, having initially started internal discussions during the summer.

The 24-year-old is on course to be among the Gunners’ highest earners, thanks to the capital club aiming to reward him with a salary increase following his consistent form since breaking into the first-team picture, and Arteta is eager for him to remain among his options for the long-term.

Viktor Gyokeres injury: Charles Watts makes North London derby prediction in latest Arsenal update

Arsenal expert Charles Watts has exclusively told Sports Mole the latest on Viktor Gyokeres’s injury as the Sweden striker continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring problem.

Gyokeres went off at half time in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Burnley at the start of November – a withdrawal that sparked

immediate concern – and Mikel Arteta confirmed afterwards that the striker had damaged a muscle.

Gyokeres missed subsequent clashes with Slavia Prague and Sunderland as a result of his injury, joining fellow strikers Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines, but it has been reported that he is bidding to come back for the North London derby on November 23.

Now, Watts has confirmed that Arsenal are ‘hopeful’ of having the 27-year-old involved against Tottenham Hotspur, and if Gyokeres does pass a fitness test, the journalist expects him to be thrown straight back into the starting lineup.

“I can’t say for certain that is definitely going to happen,” Watts said. “There’s a lot of checks and tests to go through. It’s going to be close – that Tottenham game will be three weeks from Burnley, and best case scenario, a hamstring is three weeks if it’s the very lowest grade.

“So it’s going to be touch and go, but the hope is that he could well be involved. And you think if he is involved, unlike a lot of the others, he’s been playing fairly regularly until recently. He’s not going to take as much time to get up to speed.

Viktor Gyokeres prediction made for Arsenal vs. Tottenham

“If he’s fit and he’s ready, you think he starts. If Havertz is fit and ready, he’s not going to start. He’s been out for so long, but Gyokeres doesn’t have that issue. I don’t think Gabriel Martinelli has that issue either. Although the way Leandro Trossard’s playing, I’d be very surprised if Gabriel Martinelli started against Tottenham.

“Gyokeres is the one when you look at the group, you’d think he would go straight into the starting lineup if he’s fit. Martin Odegaard would be an interesting one as well if he makes it. Mikel has not been scared to throw Martin Odegaard straight back into a lineup. We’ve seen it before when he’s been out for a long, long time. He’s a player who Arteta clearly believes can handle it.

“And [Noni] Madueke was close to Sunderland. I’m sure he will be back for this first game. That Sunderland game, the changes that Mikel could have made off the bench had some of these players been involved, absolutely fantastic. I don’t see any way that equaliser is coming. It’s going to be massive to have them back. Arsenal have done brilliantly to get to where they are without this lot.”

Gyokeres produced arguably his best 45 minutes of football in an Arsenal shirt at Turf Moor, nodding home the opening goal from close range following a corner, before spraying a wonderful long pass out to Trossard in the build-up to Declan Rice’s goal.

The Sweden international’s header against Burnley represented his sixth goal of the season for Arsenal in all competitions, before his replacement Merino netted a brace in the Champions League triumph over Slavia Prague last week.

The Spaniard also claimed an assist for Bukayo Saka in that 2-2 draw with Sunderland last weekend, but he failed to trouble the Black Cats’ backline as a centre-forward, continuing his mixed fortunes in that role after last season.

Why Viktor Gyokeres’s return is most important for Arsenal



While Noni Madueke, Odegaard, Martinelli and Havertz may also be back for the derby, Watts has affirmed that Gyokeres getting back up to speed might be the most crucial boost Arteta can receive.

Asked if Gyokeres’s return was the most important, Watts replied: “In terms of the Tottenham game, you would say so. He’s up to speed, despite the fact he’s missed a couple of weeks, he’ll be ready to go. He is in a good run of form, playing well, the players have adjusted to playing with him. And it will just cause Tottenham an awful lot more problems.

“If you’re asking [Micky] Van de Ven and [Cristian] Romero who do you want to play against, Mikel Merino or Viktor Gyokeres, I know which answer they’re going to give every day of the week.

“It’s going to be a much more comfortable game for them when they’re just having to look in front of them, because that’s where Merino is going to be all the time. He’s not going to be running, turning them around and pulling them apart.”

Watts also discussed Jesus’s return to training after an ACL injury and delivered his verdict on whether he would sell the Brazilian striker when he returns to full fitness in January.

one of the most talked-about transfer developments in recent football history, Bayern Munich’s rising star Jamal Musiala is reportedly poised to make a shocking switch to Arsenal by January 2024.

The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting talents, with his combination of skill, vision, and football intelligence capturing the attention of top clubs across the continent.

Musiala joined Bayern Munich’s youth academy at the age of 16 and has since made significant strides within the first team, showcasing his flair and versatility.

He has also become an integral part of the German national team, earning acclaim for his performances in various international competitions. Despite his success in Bavaria, whispers of an exit have grown louder as the Gunners’ interest has materialized into serious negotiations.

Arsenal, under the astute management of Mikel Arteta, is keen to bolster their squad, particularly in the midfield department, where creativity has occasionally been lacking. The addition of Musiala would provide a fresh dynamism to the squad, allowing Arteta to deploy him in multiple roles—whether as a central playmaker or off the wing. His ability to break through defenses and create goal-scoring opportunities aligns perfectly with Arsenal’s attacking philosophy.

Reports have suggested that Arsenal is prepared to meet Bayern’s asking price, which is expected to be substantial given Musiala’s potential and current market value. The Gunners have prioritized this move to ensure they remain competitive in their pursuit of Premier League and UEFA Champions League success.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich will face a challenging decision should the transfer materialize. Musiala has proven himself to be a key asset in their pursuit of domestic and European glory. However, the allure of a new challenge in the Premier League, coupled with Arsenal’s ambitious project, may prove too tempting for the young star.

If the transfer goes through, it will not only mark a significant coup for Arsenal but also a statement of intent that they are serious about reclaiming their status as title challengers. Fans of both clubs will be watching closely as the January transfer window approaches, eagerly anticipating the outcome of what could be one of the season’s defining moves. As the football world buzzes with speculation, one thing is clear: Jamal Musiala’s potential switch to Arsenal could reshape the landscape of English football for years to come.