Arteta says Saka and Saliba want to stay as contract talks continue; praises Postecoglou ahead of Forest visit

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that Bukayo Saka and William Saliba want to remain at the club as contract negotiations continue, and described incoming Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou's teams as "a joy to watch" ahead of Saturday's Emirates meeting.

Arteta said talks over new deals for both Saka and Saliba — whose current contracts run until the summer of 2027 — have been ongoing since earlier in the summer and remain a priority for the club. Sporting director Andrea Berta has driven a number of long-term extensions this summer but has yet to complete agreements with Arsenal's two most influential players.

"That never stops," Arteta said when asked about negotiations. "But I think the collaboration between the club and what Andrea (Berta) is doing and the agent is very, very, very good. I think the good thing is that the players want to remain here and they want to be a big part of the history of this club in the next few years. And that's always positive. And Andrea will drive that and see where we go."

Arteta noted that Berta had already secured long-term deals for younger members of the squad this year, citing recent extensions for Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, and indicated the club views locking in Saka and Saliba as central to its medium-term plans.

The comments come ahead of a match against Nottingham Forest that will mark the managerial debut at the Emirates for Postecoglou, who was sacked by Tottenham in June despite leading the club to a Europa League triumph and was announced as Forest manager on Tuesday. Arteta, who worked with Postecoglou during his time in English football, said he welcomed the Australian's return to the stadium.

"As a character, as a person, what he transmits, what he brings to football, it's a joy to watch the team and learn from it," Arteta said. "With Ange, you know his biggest strength, in my opinion, is the way he's been. He has put his fingerprints in that team, and he has a very clear way of playing, very clear DNA. Extremely good to watch, learned a lot from him, and it will be a very difficult game."

Arsenal sit among the clubs pursuing sustained competitive advantage through a blend of academy graduates and high-value signings. Securing longer contracts for core players would reduce transfer uncertainty and be intended to protect the club's on-field continuity as it pursues domestic and European ambitions.

Saka, a regular in England's national team setup, and Saliba, a central figure in Arsenal's defence, have been linked with contract speculation throughout the past seasons as the club has emerged as a title contender. Arteta's affirmation that both want to stay aims to quell immediate rumours, but it leaves the timeline and specific terms of any new agreements open.

Saturday's fixture at the Emirates provides an early-season test for Arsenal's squad balance and management of key personnel amid the negotiation process. Arteta's remarks underline the club's internal view that both players remain committed, while acknowledging that finalising deals is a continued task for the sporting director and negotiating parties.