Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the club are "working" on new deals for Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba.
The youthful trio are believed to be the Gunners' top priorities for new-and-improved deals after starting the season as three of the club's key performers.
Saliba has seamlessly slotted into the backline following three loan spells in France, scoring two goals and setting up one more in eight Premier League games and receiving high praise for his composed performances.
Meanwhile, Martinelli and Saka have nailed down the left and right-wing spots respectively in Arsenal's attack, coming up with two goals and seven assists between them in the top flight this term.
Saka, Martinelli and Saliba are all due to become free agents in the summer of 2024, but Arsenal can trigger a one-year extension in the Brazilian's deal.
A recent report claimed that Saka had already agreed to a new five-year deal worth £200k per week, while Saliba has confirmed that talks are underway over a renewal.
Speaking to the press ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash with Bodo/Glimt, Arteta confirmed that technical director Edu was "on top" of contract talks for players who the Gunners believe are set for "big futures" in North London.
"Obviously, we have to plan for the future and we are all working on it," arsenal.com quotes the Spaniard as saying.
"Edu is on top of it and all of the board and we'll try to do things in the right way, being fair, and trying to plan the best possible way and reward the players that in our opinion have a big future for the club. When we have something to announce, we will do that."
Looking back at Arsenal's history of terminating contracts and letting players run down their deals, Arteta has defended the people in charge of those calls but also wants the club to be "protected" moving forward.
"I don't know [if those days are in the past], every player is different and what happened in the past, I'm sure the people that were in charge had the right reasons or tried something that was beneficial for the club," the 40-year-old added.
"We will try to do the same thing and make sure that the club is always protected, that the club is always in a good position to move forward and that the players are happy to be here."
One man who did sign a new long-term contract with Arsenal in the summer was Eddie Nketiah, who committed himself to the club for another five years just weeks before he was due to depart on a free transfer.
The 23-year-old has been restricted to just one start in the Europa League this term due to the form of Gabriel Jesus, and he is aware that he must take his rare opportunities to impress with both hands.
"Every player wants to play. Signing with Arsenal is a decision I was happy with. The coaches have hard decisions and it's up to me to take the opportunities I get," Nketiah told reporters.
The Englishman is expected to be one of several Arsenal players to be rotated into the first XI when Bodo/Glimt pay a visit to the Emirates for the Europa League Group A clash. body check tags ::
