Arteta 'very glad' Saka wants to stay

Mikel Arteta has said that he is "very glad" Bukayo Saka says he wants to stay at Arsenal.

The 23-year-old made his first start since returning from injury in the 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg and won both free kicks that Declan Rice scored from.

Saka enters the final two years of his contract this summer but said prior to the Madrid match that he "wants to win wearing this badge".

"So humble, so simple, very committed to the club, obviously has very deep roots connected to this football club and with a lot of other people here, so I'm very glad to hear that he wants to stay with us and win with us," Arteta said when asked about Saka's comments.

The winger, who caused Madrid defender David Alaba problems throughout Tuesday's 3-0 win, was taken off after 74 minutes and Arteta says it is another step as he works his way back to full fitness.

"He gives us a level of threat, connection and unpredictability that probably no other player at the moment can provide, especially with the connection that he's already built in and around the team," Arteta said.

"And he has the power to lift the stadium, which is something incredible, because shifting the energy in the stadium is something really difficult to do, and a player who is able to do that, that's a great addition, a great quality to have."