Remain a Gunner!,Leno sends message to Saka

Bernd Leno hopes Bukayo Saka pledges his long-term future to Arsenal .

The starlet made his first-team debut last season before establishing himself under Unai Emery earlier this term.

Saka has gone from strength to strength since Mikel Arteta took charge at the Emirates and starred in Thursday night’s 1-0 win against Olympiakos in the Europa League round of 32 first leg.

However, the 18-year-old’s contract in north London is due to expire in 2021 and he is yet to agree an extension.

Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly monitoring the situation closely but Leno hopes Saka remains with the Gunners.

Bukayo Saka compared to Ryan Giggs, Dennis Bergkamp and Paul Scholes after Arsenal display

The keeper told BT Sport: “Bukayo is an outstanding player, hopefully he stays very long at Arsenal.

“He is very important for us. I think today his cross was very good for Laca to score.

“We’re happy now we’ve got the advantage and the away goal. At home we want to beat them again and go through to the next round.”

Meanwhile, Arteta has suggested he’s building Arsenal’s team around Bukayo Saka, not slotting him in to fill a gap.

The youngster was introduced to Arsenal’s first team as a left-back, filling in in place of the injured Kieran Tierney.

But Saka has proven himself a threat up top, and Arteta has suggested he’s starting to play the Englishman where he’s most affective, not where he can fit in.

“We try to put him in the position where we can surround him with the right players in the right areas,” said Arteta after Arsenal’s win over Olympiakos.

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“He’s not a full-back. He has a lot of courage to make decisions in the final third… I’m very pleased with his performance.”