Mikel Arteta offers Bukayo Saka update after new Arsenal contract confusion

After Arsenal moved into the next round of the FA Cup with a victory over Portsmouth, Mikel Arteta was asked a question about the status of Bukayo Saka's contract

Mikel Arteta remained tight-lipped when asked if Bukayo Saka's apparent new Arsenal deal is going to be announced in within the next few days.

It was reported on Friday afternoon that Saka had agreed a new five-year contract with the north Londoners. This deal would keep him at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2031.

Despite details of the new deal being reported days ago, there is yet to be an announcement from the club themselves. When asked if one is set to be issued by the club, Arteta chose to keep his cards to his chest.

The Gunners boss was questioned about the status of Saka's future shortly after the 4-1 away victory over Portsmouth in the third round of the FA Cup. When asked if a statement is imminent, Arteta quickly replied: "When we have something to announce, we will do it."

In September, Arteta was anything but tight-lipped about his desire to see Saka commit his future to the club. The ex-Manchester City assistant manager said: "I would love that [if he signed a new deal].

"From everything that I know, again he's a player that is extremely happy and proud to be [here] and to have the role that he has in the football club.

"He's been developing in a natural way like they always do. Everyone knows how important Bukayo is for us so hopefully we can do it."

Meanwhile, Arteta and Saka's focus was away from the boardroom and focussed on Fratton Park. With Premier League action taking a back seat for the oldest competition in the world, Arsenal had to navigate their way past John Mousinho's Championship side.

It was the hosts who took the lead with a fine strike from Colby Bishop, but it was also them who levelled the game for the Gunners. Portsmouth defender Andre Dozzell scored an own goal five minutes later to bring Arsenal level.

After that, it was all about Gabriel Martinelli. He put the north Londoners ahead in the 25th minute, before contributing two more goals for a South Coast hat-trick.

The match ensured Arsenal remained in competition on four fronts, with Chelsea in the first-leg of the League Cup semi-final up next. After the match, Martinelli, who was the villain after pushing the injured Conor Bradley off the pitch during the 0-0 home draw with Liverpool, was praised by Arteta.

The Arsenal manager, while also reflecting on Martinelli's challenges, said: "That's why to play for a big club, you need a big personality because it can be bad... it can be an action that you miss, it can be something that costs you a game.

"And three days later, there is a game. So you need to lift yourself up and make it count. I love it. Gabi, in every context that you throw him in, he plays, he doesn't play. He performs well, not well. Today, he scored three goals. Tomorrow, he's going to train 100 miles an hour, for sure. He's not going to change that. And that's Gabi."