Bukayo Saka buzzing over news out of Arsenal today

Arsenal have gone from strength to strength under Mikel Arteta since he took the reins back in 2019.

The Gunners manager has raised standards across the whole club, and as a result, they’re now one of the strongest teams in the Premier League once again.

Arsenal have also turned a corner when it comes to player retention, something they used to be really bad at in the past.

The Gunners were known for either losing top players for little to nothing as their contracts ran down, or offering huge contracts to players whose subsequent form didn’t justify their pay-rises.

Arsenal now bring the right characters into the dressing room, ensure they’re working hard and playing well, and offering new contracts to the right players at the right time.

The Gunners academy is also producing some top talents in recent years, and now, a rising star at Hale End has just signed a new contract, much to Bukayo Saka’s delight.

READ MORE: Arsenal discussions over ‘world-class’ target are now at ‘final stages’

Bukayo Saka reacts as Charles Sagoe Jr pens new Arsenal contract

The player in question is Charles Sagoe Jr, who has risen through the Arsenal ranks to become one of their most exciting Under-21s.

Sagoe Jr has signed a new deal with the Gunners, extending a contract that was set to run out at the end of this season.

The 20-year-old has also embarked on the second loan spell of his career, joining League One side Shrewsbury Town until the end of the season.

Sagoe Jr took to Instagram to express his delight in signing his new contract.

Plenty of his peers, including Saka, congratulated him in the comments.

Who is Arsenal talent Charles Sagoe Jr?

Sagoe Jr joined Arsenal from Fulham in 2015 and has risen through the ranks to get to the Under-21s and the fringes of the senior team, making several matchday squads.

Indeed, the 20-year-old made his competitive Arsenal first-team debut in the 2023/24 season. He got 68 minutes under his belt against Brentford in the Carabao Cup.

Gunners winger Reiss Nelson previously spoke highly of Sagoe Jr, as per The Mirror, who quoted him as saying: “I’ve been watching you.

“I watch a lot of the U21 games and literally, I’m not just saying this because you’re here, you have everything to be an Arsenal winger.

“You’re unpredictable, you can move on your left, on your right, you can score, you can assist, you’ve got everything.

“It’s just about keeping your head down and not getting distracted or disheartened by anything that happens.”

Sagoe Jr went on loan to Swansea City in the second half of last season, but he barely featured for the Championship side.