25 March 2023 , 13:53
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Former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure believes that the Gunners are finally learning from their previous mistakes as they close in on tying Bukayo Saka down to a new long-term contract.
Saka, 21, has quickly evolved into one of the club's most influential players since being integrated into the first-team and has excelled this season to lead Arsenal's unlikely title charge.
The Gunners have been desperate to agree terms with Saka on a new contract amid whispers of interest from several of their European rivals. And after months of negotiations, an agreement with the Hale End graduate is now believed to be close.
Arsenal have already rewarded Gabriel Martinelli with a bumper new contract this season and are also aiming to agree fresh terms with William Saliba in the wake of his breakthrough campaign.
The Gunners' efforts to tie down the core of their impressive young squad is not lost on Toure, who is quick to point out how the club have lost the services of several key players in recent years. But he believes it's clear that his former club have learned from their past mistakes.
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He told Sky Sports : "One mistake that Arsenal made down the years, they had key players that loved the club and they let them go. You must keep those players because these players are the players that are going to lead the team for you. These are the players you can rely on; these are the players that when it's tough they will put their bodies on the line because they love the club.
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Bukayo Saka is close to signing a new Arsenal contract (AP)"You have two types of players, players that love the club and players who just come and go. You need players who love the club because these are players who are going to fight with their heart."
Toure has been particularly impressed by Saka, who he believes the club should "sign for 10 years". But the former Ivory Coast international, who was a key part of the Arsenal side that won the club's most recent Premier League title back in 2004, also believes that Mikel Arteta's current side possess the "quality" and the "chemistry" to end the Gunners' agonising 19-year drought.
And he was full of praise for Arteta, who is going head to head with his old mentor Pep Guardiola in the title race. Toure added: "He's (Arteta) been incredible. What he is doing as a young manager is inspiring us. You can see the energy he is bringing.
"He was really lucky to work with one of the best managers in the world in Pep Guardiola - learning from him was vital. But with Man City, they have the experience and Arsenal have to be really careful they don't slip because this Man City team will give everything they have until the last game."