Mikel Arteta's blunt response to Bukayo Saka contract question amid Arsenal confusion

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Mikel Arteta remained coy when questioned about the imminent announcement of Bukayo Saka's supposed new Arsenal contract. On Friday afternoon, it was reported that Saka had agreed to a new five-year contract with the North London club.

The agreement would keep him at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2031. Despite details of the new contract being reported days ago, there has been no official announcement from the club.

When asked if one is forthcoming, Arteta chose to play his cards close to his chest. The Gunners boss was quizzed about Saka's future shortly after their 4-1 away victory over Portsmouth in the third round of the FA Cup .

When asked if an announcement was on the horizon, Arteta swiftly responded: "When we have something to announce, we will do it." Back in September, Arteta was far from reticent about his wish to see Saka commit his future to the club.

The Arsenal boss stated at the time: "I would love that [if he signed a new deal]. From everything that I know, again he's a player that is extremely happy and proud to be [here] and to have the role that he has in the football club.

"He's been developing in a natural way like they always do. Everyone knows how important Bukayo is for us so hopefully we can do it."

Meanwhile, Arteta and Saka's attention was directed away from contract matters and towards Fratton Park on Saturday. With Premier League football pausing for the oldest competition in the world , Arsenal had to find their way past John Mousinho's Championship outfit.

The hosts struck first through a superb effort from Colby Bishop, but they also inadvertently drew the Gunners level. Portsmouth defender Andre Dozzell turned the ball into his own net five minutes later to restore parity.

From that point onwards, Gabriel Martinelli helped Arsenal take control of the game. He fired the north Londoners in front in the 25th minute, before adding two more strikes to complete his hat-trick.

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The result kept Arsenal's hopes alive across four competitions, with Chelsea awaiting in the first-leg of the League Cup semi-final. Following the match, Martinelli, who had faced criticism after pushing the injured Conor Bradley off the pitch during the 0-0 stalemate with Liverpool , received praise from Arteta.

The Arsenal manager said: "That's why to play for a big club, you need a big personality because it can be bad... it can be an action that you miss, it can be something that costs you a game.

"And three days later, there is a game. So you need to lift yourself up and make it count. I love it. Gabi, in every context that you throw him in, he plays, he doesn't play. He performs well, not well.

"Today, he scored three goals. Tomorrow, he's going to train 100 miles an hour, for sure. He's not going to change that. And that's Gabi."

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