Saka, Martinelli and Saliba – Arteta’s young Arsenal side picks up fans and keen admirers

Gunners in 1st place 

Arsenal continued their impressive start to the season with an emphatic 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Saturday, once again showcasing the talent of Mikel Arteta’s youthful and exciting side. The average age of Arsenal’s starting XI stood at just 24.8 years, a whole four years younger than Spurs’ average on the day. And goes some way to explaining why the London club have hit the ground running this season. 

Indeed, Arsenal fans are well and truly purring at their team’s performances in recent weeks and the potential within this current side. Although the first team squad’s market value is still only the sixth highest in the Premier League, it has shot up by 7.9 percent in recent market value updates, which is more than any other top six club aside from Chelsea. And that’s largely down to the young, exciting players in Arteta’s squad. 

However, with great deeds come great admiration for said talent and while Arsenal may joyously lay claim to some of English football’s most impressive young players, they may soon find themselves under some stress in a bid to keep them away from bigger clubs with far deeper pockets. And if recent reports are to be believed, the club are already well aware of prying eyes in the English top-flight. 

Saka, Martinelli and Saliba’s futures in question

Perhaps the biggest concern for Arsenal is the future of Bukayo Saka. The England international currently has a contract at the London club that runs until 2024. However, following constant speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City, the club are now reportedly prepared to offer the forward a bumper pay rise to keep him at the club. According to Football London, that new deal could earn the player no less than £200,000 (€230,000) per week in wages. 

However, Saka isn’t the only young player Arsenal may look to tie down to a new deal. William Saliba, the defender signed for €22 million in 2019 and then sent back to France on loan three separate times, has finally come of age and confirmed a starting role in Arteta’s squad. When asked about his future at the club after Saturday’s win over Tottenham, the defender admitted that work had already begun on a new Arsenal deal. “Yeah, we will see,” said the French defender. “They talk a little bit. We will see.”

Chelsea have reportedly joined a growing list of admirers for Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli

— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) October 4, 2022

The third and final young talent that Arsenal may need to sign down to a new deal is none other than forward Gabriel Martinelli. Having signed a four-year deal with the club in July 2020, the Brazilian winger has gone from strength to strength this season under Arteta’s guidance. However, according to the Daily Mail, the winger’s performances have attracted interest from none other than Chelsea, who are now reportedly keeping tabs on the player’s progression in the English top flight. 

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