Arsenal 'desperate' to avoid mistake from Arsene Wenger years as Bukayo Saka contract signals new approach

Arsenal appear to be learning from their previous transfer mistakes, following Bukayo Saka's recent contract renewal.

Just over a decade ago, Arsene Wenger discussed his frustration at being unable to build on the potential within his team due to the departures of several first-team players.

Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Alex Song all left the club within less than two years of each other, severely damaging the team's momentum.

“You could feel the potential was there and I thought ‘Ok, let’s do this together,’” said Wenger in December 2012. “Then the team split up, sometimes after five or six years of work. It is frustrating. You have to start all over again.

“We have lost recent players earlier in their careers — to lose Van Persie, Fabregas, Nasri and Song in just two years, it is a massive amount of potential. Of course you worry.”

More than 10 years have passed since then, and Arsenal are clearly '"desperate to prevent history from repeating itself", claim The Telegraph.

Arsenal 'desperate' not to repeat transfer mistakes

Once again Arsenal have created a young squad boasting enormous potential, with the future seemingly bright in north London.

This time round, however, Mikel Arteta is determined not to lose his star players, most recently tying Bukayo Saka down to a new long-term deal.

Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale have also penned fresh terms, suggesting players are convinced by Arteta's plans moving forward.

Arsenal will hope there are more to follow, with William Saliba still in talks over a new contract. While discussions with captain Martin Odegaard are expected to take place over the summer.

The clear message being projected from London Colney is that Arsenal's unforeseen title bid is only the beginning for this group of players - the second-youngest team in the entire division.

However, they can only continue to grow if they stay together, meaning contract negotiations will be just as important as any summer business that Arsenal may partake in the summer.