Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has stressed the importance of getting Bukayo Saka to sign a new contract with the Gunners.
The 18-year-old has attracted attention from such clubs as Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and Liverpool after impressing this season, excelling in recent weeks at left-back during Mikel Arteta's time in charge.
Saka registered his ninth assist of the season as he set up Alexandre Lacazette for the only goal of the game as Arsenal beat Olympiacos in the Europa League last night.
But with 18 months left on his contract at Arsenal, there has been speculation over his long-term future at the club.
For their part Arsenal are understood to be optimistic that the 18-year-old will agree new terms that will see him receive a significant increase on his current £7,000-a-week salary.
The youngster has said he is unfazed by speculation over his future, but Keown said it is key for Arteta and Arsenal that Saka does put pen to paper on a new deal.
“We know the importance of it and you hope that his head isn’t turned, and that Arsenal is his club," he said, speaking on BT Sport's Europa League highlights show.
“It is massively important for the youth system. He has come through the academy and you have got to have that light at the end of the tunnel for these youngsters.
“He is the one now, he is the talking point. [Gabriel] Martinelli has been brought in as a youngster, but [Bukayo] Saka, with his intelligence of movement and the quality of the pass, that doesn’t grow on trees.
“They have got to nail the player down to a new deal as soon as possible.
“I think it depends on whether they will play him. He started off as the third choice left-back this season, with [Kieran] Tierney brought in.
“But with [Sead] Kolasinac sat on the bench, he deserves to play, he is keeping some very good players out of the team, and that should be enough to encourage him to sign a new deal.”
Keown was not the only one impressed with Saka though, with fellow BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves heaping praise on the teenager after his role in Lacazette's goal.
“Look at the awareness from [Bukayo] Saka, he sees that [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang is out wide and he takes that place inside, it is really intelligent," he said.
“And the weight of that ball there, he almost scores with the pass, he puts it on a plate for [Alexandre] Lacazette. He is special. He is a winger, but as a full-back he looks brilliant.”
