Piece by piece, step by step. Mikel Arteta seems to have tuned in to Arsenal’s frequency and has found music. Good additions to the squad, players staying clear of injury, a working system – it’s all looking good for the table-topping Gunners. The next step for the club hierarchy is to tie star man Bukayo Saka to a new long-term contract.The Gunners have offered the England international a new deal which would make him one of the club’s best-paid players, worth at least double his current $80,000-per-week deal. Saka himself said that he shares Arteta’s confidence in keeping Saka at the Emirates in years to come. The development will come as a huge boost to Arsenal, who have made tying the 20-year-old down to an extension a club priority.🗣Bukayo Saka on Mikel Arteta: “I feel like he’s always there for me. He knows when to speak to me, it’s not too much but it’s not too little and the different bits of advice he gives me are special and it makes such a difference.” 🙌😍#Arsenal pic.twitter.com/aGm7usBJFy— Arsenal News Channel (@Arsenalnewschan) August 30, 2022 Manchester City view Saka as a long-term target, and Pep Guardiola is a massive fan of the Arsenal academy graduate. Saka has ambitions to play in the Champions League, and Arsenal’s failure to finish in the top four last season complicated the Gunners’ attempts to agree a new deal. But Arsenal, who are currently top of the table as the only club with a 100% record, look well equipped to finish in the top four this season which will excite Saka.Come to talk about the record, the Londoners will try to make it five out of five tonight when Aston Villa arrive to the Emirates. Arsenal are looking to become the 12th club to start a Premier League season with five victories – but only three of the last 11 teams to have done that have gone on to lift the trophy.Steven Gerrard is already feeling the pressure after a poor start to the season and could end up feeling a lot worse if the trend continues. The Birmingham club has only got one victory and three defeats so far.Arteta will welcome Oleksandr Zinchenko back to the team after the former Manchester City man missed the Fulham match last weekend. The Ukraine international is likely to play in midfield since both Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are forced out with injuries.🗣 “I have total belief and confidence in these players.” Steven Gerrard is confident that he can turn Aston Villa’s form around pic.twitter.com/CCEQXyQhE5— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 30, 2022 Villa have one fresh injury concern as Cameron Archer is a doubt for the match after picking up a groin injury. Meanwhile, Gerrard hopes Philippe Coutinho and Tyrone Mings will be available for selection. That’s after Coutinho hobbled off with a cramp in the second half against West Ham, while Mings didn’t make the squad due to illness.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 5TuesdayFulham – Brighton 2-1 (0-0)/Mitrovic 48, Dunk 55 og – Mac Allister 60 pen/Crystal Palace – Brentford 1-1 (1-0)/Zaha 59 – Wissa 88/Southampton – Chelsea 2-1 (1-1)/Lavia 28, Armstrong 45+1 – Sterling 23/Leeds – Everton 1-1 (0-1)/Sinisterra 55 – Gordon 17/Wednesday21.30: (3.60) Bournemouth (3.35) Wolverhampton (2.20)21.30: (1.50) Arsenal (4.40) Aston Villa (7.50)21.30: (1.10) Man.City (13.0) Nott.Forest (25.0)21.45: (3.80) West Ham (3.60) Tottenham (2.05)22.00: (1.33) Liverpool (5.90) Newcastle (9.50)Thursday22.00: (3.80) Leicester (3.50) Man.Utd. (2.10)***odds are subject to change
