Arsenal working on next two contract priorities after securing Martinelli deal
Mikel Arteta is hopeful Arsenal can follow up Gabriel Martinelli's contract renewal by tying down William Saliba and Bukayo Saka to new deals.
Brazilian forward Martinelli, 21, has penned a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium after months of negotiations. The deal comes as part of Arsenal's strategy in getting their brightest young talents to commit to the club for the foreseeable future.
Emile Smith Rowe signed a new long-term contract 18 months ago, with Saliba and Saka the next on Arsenal's list. Both players are out of contract next summer but are in talks over extensions.
Speaking at his press conference on Friday, Arteta said: "Part of the plan obviously is to extend the contracts of our biggest talents at the club and commit them to the future.
"We are trying to do that, we have started with Gabi and that is good news, the others will be done when we can and we have to agree on that.
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"I see everyone really happy and really willing to continue at the club but we have to meet everyone's expectations and timing is key on that."
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William Saliba and Bukayo Saka are in line for new deals (AFP via Getty Images)Martinelli has been a key figure in Arsenal's team this season and has previously drawn high praise from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. His form for the Gunners earned him a call-up to Brazil's World Cup squad and his new contract is a huge boost to his current employers.
Tying Saka down is paramount to Arsenal's ambitions, with the winger considered one of the best young talents in world football. Saliba has been equally imperative this season since his return from being out on loan and has helped shore up the Gunners' defence.
Explaining Martinelli's new contract further, Arteta said: "We’re delighted Gabi has signed a new long-term contract. Our supporters see his quality and energy every single time he puts on the shirt and he’s the same every day in training, with his hard work and positive values.
"Gabi is still very young, so we know there’s still much more to come from him and it’s great that we’ll be on this journey together.
"We’re now excited to continue to develop his huge talent and look forward to seeing him perform with Arsenal in the years to come.”
Arteta was also delighted to get a transfer over the line for Jorginho on deadline day as the Italian midfielder completed a switch from Chelsea. Arsenal's manager described his new signing as a player that "has proved himself, you look at his CV, his playing record, his quality. I think we made some really good decisions there and overall we’ve helped the squad with three players."
Asked what Jorginho will bring to his side, Arteta added: "His intelligence, his personality, his leadership skill and the way he understands our way of playing and the quality he has to implement that in football matches. He’s a player that will fit in really well with what we want to do."
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