Bumper Arsenal contract decision may be about to be proven right after 'valuable' Edu admission

Bumper Arsenal contract decision may be about to be proven right after 'valuable' Edu admission

Arsenal may be about to reap the benefits of a bumper contract decision made earlier this year, with 'valuable' technical director Edu Gaspar admitting the club would not have been able to keep hold of Bukayo Saka without it.

Lack of playing time would have seen Saka depart

Speaking on the Arseblog podcast, Edu conceded that a lack of first-team opportunities would have seen Saka leave the Emirates Stadium.

The 21-year-old put pen to paper on a new four-year contract in July, in a deal that will earn him a reported £200,000-a-week.

Edu: 'We had a clear awareness that if we didn't give him a new contract, he would leave'

"We had a clear awareness that if we didn't give him a new contract, he would leave," Edu said.

"For example, if we didn't give him a new contract in May, I'm 100 per cent sure that Saka would not be here with us today."

Edu: Saka has 'shown how valuable he is'

Saka has been in excellent form for Arsenal this season, scoring six goals and providing seven assists in all competitions.

Edu believes that the new contract has given Saka the confidence to express himself on the pitch.

"He's shown how valuable he is," Edu said. "He's a player that I believe is going to be one of the best players in the world."

Saka's new contract a 'big statement'

Saka's new contract is a sign of Arsenal's ambition under Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners are currently top of the Premier League table and are in contention for a first title since 2004.

Edu believes that Saka's new contract is a "big statement" about the club's future.

"It's a big statement from the club and from Mikel," Edu said. "It shows that we believe in him and that we want him to be a part of our future.

"It's a great moment for the club and for Bukayo."