Bukayo Saka Arsenal contract part of ‘long-term project’, no Granit Xhaka talks — Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka’s impending new deal is part of Arsenal’s bid to build a “long-term project” with players whose “aims” match the club’s.

The Athletic reported on Thursday that Saka was set to commit to the club after an agreement in principle had been reached over a new long-term contract.

Arteta did not comment on the specifics of the deal, which is still to be signed, when he faced the media ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leicester, but lifted the lid on the club’s overall intentions.

He said: “We want to keep our best players, the players that we are developing.

“We want to create a long-term project and obviously we need our best players to be committed to the club.

“That’s our responsibility, to give our best people, and the people basically that have have the same aims and purposes with the club, to stick them together for a while and give them some stability and evolve as a club.

“It’s part of taking the club where we want.”

GO DEEPER

Bukayo Saka is a symbol of Arsenal hope – his new contract is monumental

Saka has been a star performer in the north London side’s rise to the top of the Premier League table this season and is set to follow Gabriel Martinelli in agreeing a new long-term deal.

William Saliba is also in talks over an extended stay but Arteta admitted that discussions were not currently taking place with Granit Xhaka.

Xhaka, whose current deal runs until next summer with an option to 2025, had been influential in midfield this term but when asked if there was on update on his situation, Arteta said: “No talks”.

Arteta is hopeful of a midfield boost on the fitness front after revealing that Thomas Partey was in contention to return this weekend after missing the last two Premier League games with a thigh problem.

The Arsenal boss said of Partey: “He hasn’t trained much but it looks like he could be available, so let’s see how he trains today.

“He’s a really important player for us that we missed the last few games but hopefully he can be available.”

Arteta also delivered a positive update on forward Gabriel Jesus, who has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury on Brazil duty at the World Cup.

“He’s progressing really well,” Arteta added. “He’s doing more on the field and he is not reacting, so really positive. We want to have him as quickly as possible but also respecting the timeframe from the doctors, but he’s really pushing the boundaries now.”

Arsenal head to Leicester with a two-point lead — and a game in hand — over Manchester City at the top.

(Photo: Getty Images)