Arsenal fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief—Bukayo Saka, the club’s homegrown talisman, has agreed a new five-year contract that will keep him at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2031. The deal, finalized on January 9, 2026, not only secures the services of one of Europe’s most exciting wingers but also underscores Arsenal’s intent to build around their core of young, hungry talent as they pursue domestic and continental glory.
For Saka, now 24, this agreement is the latest chapter in a remarkable journey that began at Arsenal’s Hale End academy, where he joined at the tender age of seven. Since making his senior debut under Unai Emery in 2018, Saka has blossomed into a linchpin of Mikel Arteta’s attack, amassing 290 appearances and netting 77 goals across all competitions. His versatility has been a boon for the Gunners—while he’s filled in at left-back and left midfield, it’s on the right wing where he’s truly shined, tormenting defenses with his pace, intelligence, and creativity.
The numbers don’t lie: Saka has provided 77 assists in addition to his goal tally, and his Premier League record alone is impressive—214 top-flight games and 57 goals. This season, he’s already racked up seven goals and six assists in 27 appearances, helping Arsenal surge to a six-point lead at the Premier League summit and maintain a flawless record in their Champions League group. The Gunners are also set to face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, with Saka’s contributions proving crucial on all fronts.
It’s not just about the stats, though. Saka’s journey from academy hopeful to vice-captain and club icon has been marked by individual accolades and resilience. He was crowned PFA Young Player of the Year in 2022/23 and has twice been named England Men’s Player of the Year (2021/22 and 2022/23). Last season, despite suffering a hamstring tear that required surgery and sidelined him for three months, he bounced back to finish as Arsenal’s top scorer with 20 goals and even wore the captain’s armband in Martin Odegaard’s absence.
Manager Mikel Arteta has never hidden his admiration for Saka’s attitude and commitment. Asked in November about the ongoing contract talks, Arteta said, “What Bukayo has transmitted to me and the club, and Emeka (Obasi, Saka’s agent) as well, is that they want to continue to be here. It’s a very healthy and powerful relationship. The journey that he has had at the club and what he has become is something we want to maintain. That is something that is going to leave a legacy at this club and he needs to fulfil that role.”
Saka himself has been unequivocal about his love for Arsenal and his ambitions. Back in April, he told the media, “For me, I want to win and I want to win wearing this badge. I think it is pretty clear—the fans know how much I love them and you saw when I came on on Tuesday [against Everton], I think they love me back, so it is a good relationship. I am really happy to be here and I’m just focused on winning.”
The new contract, which replaces a deal that was set to expire in June 2027, is believed to place Saka among the best-paid players not just at Arsenal but across Europe. This is a reflection of his growing stature, both at club and international level. With 48 England caps already under his belt, Saka is expected to play a pivotal role for the Three Lions at the 2026 World Cup under Thomas Tuchel, as England look to end their long wait for major silverware.
Arsenal’s strategy of tying down their brightest stars to long-term deals has been evident in recent months, with William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ethan Nwaneri, and Myles Lewis-Skelly all signing extensions. The club’s summer recruitment drive, which saw close to £300m spent on new players, has added depth, but insiders and pundits alike agree that securing Saka’s future might be the most significant move of all.
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright summed it up neatly: “Arsenal spent close to £300m on new signings during the summer transfer window but securing Bukayo Saka’s future might be their most significant piece of business this season. The 24-year-old academy product has become a talismanic figure for the club. He captains the side in the absence of Martin Odegaard and continues to be crucial to their attack, with Arsenal consistently looking to him to unlock games from their right flank. No player can claim to have been more influential under Arteta.”
Saka’s influence extends beyond the pitch. His bond with supporters is palpable, and his journey from local kid to club vice-captain resonates with the Emirates faithful. As The Athletic noted, “There’s never really been any doubt over Saka’s commitment to the club; both he and Mikel Arteta have consistently suggested talks were progressing positively.”
His career trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. In 2022-23, Saka recorded 15 goals and 11 assists, and the following campaign he bettered those numbers with 20 goals and 14 assists as Arsenal finished just two points behind Manchester City. Even when injuries struck, he remained a beacon of consistency and leadership, setting the standard for a squad brimming with ambition.
Saka’s only major club trophy to date remains the 2020 FA Cup, but with Arsenal leading the Premier League and dominating in Europe, there’s a sense that more silverware could be on the horizon. As Dan Sheldon of The Athletic put it, “Saka, aged only 24, is only going to keep improving and will now be at Arsenal for what should be considered to be the prime years of his career. By sorting out Saka’s future before he entered the last year of his original deal, Arsenal have avoided any potential headaches as he would undoubtedly have been of interest to the biggest teams in Europe.”
For Arsenal, this new contract is more than just a piece of administrative housekeeping—it’s a statement of intent. With Saka locked in for the long haul, the Gunners have secured a cornerstone for their present and future ambitions. The Emirates crowd can look forward to many more dazzling displays from their star winger, who, in the words of his manager, is “something that is going to leave a legacy at this club.”
As the season heats up and the stakes rise, one thing is clear: with Bukayo Saka committed to Arsenal until 2031, the Gunners’ hopes of ending their long wait for a Premier League title—and perhaps more—have never looked brighter.
