Mikel Arteta says he is “very positive” about the prospect of Bukayo Saka signing a new contract with Arsenal.
The 18-year-old has been a bright spark for Arsenal this season, catching the eye during a difficult campaign for the club.
However, there had been fears that the Gunners could lose Saka, who has just one year left to run on his current contract.
The versatile winger has been linked with the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, but Arteta is hopeful a deal to keep him at Arsenal will be struck soon.
“I am very positive that everything is going to be done with Bukayo very shortly,” said Arteta. “The communications between the club, agents and the family has been going on for months and is very fluent.
“The player and family knows how much trust I have in him. I think he is just showing that every week and his consistency level is getting better and better.
“I’m so excited with the young players that we have. They just need the right environment around them to explode and Bukayo is doing that even in difficult circumstances, which is even more merit for him.”
Arsenal have endured a difficult start to football’s return after losing both of their opening Premier League games last week.
Next up on Thursday they face a trip to Southampton, where they must win to keep their European qualification hopes alive.
Arsenal are currently 10th in the table - 11 points off Chelsea in fourth - and Arteta knows things must turn around quickly.
“Until we start to win football games, the Champions League objective is too far at the moment,” he said.
“And my only focus is going there on Thursday, go to Southampton and get the three points, win, lift the players and start believing again that we can get wins in a row.”
