MIKEL Arteta has revealed the Arsenal hierarchy are working behind the scenes to secure the club’s future by tying down key trio Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba to new long-term deals.

All three players have less than two years left on their current contracts, although in Martinelli’s case the north Londoners have an option to extend his existing deal to 2025.

The rumour mill will have delighted Gooners this week with whispers that Saka has reportedly already agreed a new five-year contract that will see the 21-year-old winger pocket £200,000 a week. And the good news seemingly keeps on coming for the Premier League table-toppers with centre-back Saliba, 21, also suggesting he is “happy” to extend his stay at the Emirates, and that talks, too, are already well underway.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s (Thursday) Europa League game with Norway’s FK Bodo/Glimt, Arteta confirmed technical director Edu is on the case.

“Obviously, we have to plan for the future and we are all working on it,” said the Gunners boss. “Edu is on top of it, and all of the board, and we’ll try to do things in the right way – being fair, and trying to plan the best possible way and reward the players that in our opinion have a big future for the club.

“When we have something to announce, we will do that.”

Arsenal have been caught out too many times in the past by key players entering the final year of their contract. Quizzed on whether the club have learned from their mistakes, Arteta added: “Every player is different and what happened in the past, I’m sure the people that were in charge had the right reasons or tried something that was beneficial for the club.

“We will try to do the same thing and make sure that the club is always protected, that the club is always in a good position to move forward and that the players are happy to be here.”

Meanwhile, Arteta believes that Saturday’s 3-1 demolition of Tottenham will have given his young squad some much-needed confidence when it comes to beating rival teams in the top six.

Ahead of Liverpool’s visit to Ashburton Grove this Sunday, Arteta said the win over Spurs was “100 per cent needed”, adding, “When you play such a big game, you want to win.

“For me the message is for the players, and everybody here that is connected to the club, that we are able to play at this level, against this kind of opponent. That should give them confidence and belief.”

And on now keeping the momentum going, Arteta said: “The best way to do that is how we prepare every single day, keep focused on the task and on everything that we’re doing well, and keep being humble. There are a lot of things that we still need to improve and keep that willingness every time to become better every single day.”