Arsenal legend's 'important' advice taken as deal agreed with key player

Arsenal are reportedly close to extending the contract of key winger Bukayo Saka - and the renewal follows on from advice given by Gunners legend Ray Parlour.

The Athletic's David Ornstein has claimed that the Gunners have reached an agreement in principle with the England international to extend his deal.

Ornstein adds that the deal has not been signed, but is now in place - meaning an announcement will follow.

It is a key move for Mikel Arteta and his side, who top the Premier League table by two points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.

And Saka has played a key role in the club's title pursuit. He has nine goals and eight assists in 23 Premier League appearances. No Gunners player has been involved in more goal contributions this term.

His current deal is due to expire in 2024, and there had been talk that he could move on in the summer if he were not to extend his stay before then.

Arsenal legend prediction set to be realised

Speaking earlier this year, Parlour, who won three Premier League titles with Arsenal between 1992 and 2004, told his former club that they must keep Saka in north London. He also advised the player himself to stay at the club at this moment in time.

He told talkSPORT (quotes via HITC) in December: "The most important thing for Mikel Arteta now is to sign all of the young guys on long deals.

"Saka's contract, you have got [Gabriel] Martinelli, [William] Saliba.

"Saka, he would have plenty of time to move on if he wants to move, but at this moment in time, he might think, 'I have come through the ranks, there is a real togetherness here for the next couple of years. I want to be a part of that'."

Once the new deal is signed and finalised, it would commit Saka's future to the Emirates Stadium for several more years.

Gunners supporters will be delighted at the news that another of their key players is set to stay at the club, after Gabriel Martinelli signed a new long-term deal earlier this month. However, they will hope that Saka chooses to stay beyond the next few years, and continues to carve out his legacy at Arsenal as a crucial player for Arteta's side.