Bukayo Saka has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal.
The 18-year old had just entered the final year of his previous deal, and had reportedly attracted interest from the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.
It's been a breakthrough season for Saka, who has made 33-appearances in all competitions for Arsenal.
The full-back-cum-winger made his Gunners debut at the age of 17 in a UEFA Europa League tie with Vorskla Poltava in November of 2018.
Saka's since come to establish himself as a fixture in the Arsenal side under Mikel Arteta.
"I think he represents every value that this football club stands for," a delighted Arteta told Arsenal.com after Saka signed his new deal.
"He has come through the academy, and earned his respect with hard work and accountability and you can see the progression that he is having as a player but as well as a person.
"He is a player that his team-mates really like, that I admire and he has a big hunger to become even better so I think it is the perfect thing to do right now.
"It is really important because one of the main foundations that we need at this club is people from the academy."
Signed da ting! 😉
✍️ #SakaSigns pic.twitter.com/4iNGDknUcw— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 1, 2020
Despite being linked with some giants of European football, Saka never had any doubt about committing his future to the North London club.
"It's Arsenal, you know. Come on, it's Arsenal!" he told the club's website.
"The stadium is great, the fans are great, the club is great. Everything about this club is great.
"I love playing for Arsenal, you know. I love playing for the coach, the fans, my team-mates, I really believe in the philosophy that the boss is bringing and what he's building, and I'm just really excited to see where he's going to take us in the future.
“I felt that it was right in my heart to extend my contract here and I feel like this is going to be best for my development.
“When I was at Hale End, I just remember always seeing a picture of Jack Wilshere on the walls when I walked in every single day,” he added.
“I just used to tell myself that it's possible to get into this first team, that there's a pathway.
“Now that I'm in this position and that I've got to the level he got to when he was my age, I'm really proud of myself, I'm really happy and I just want to keep taking each day by day, staying humble and trying to get better each day."
