Arsenal wil discuss extension of contract with Saka, Rice and Timber shortly

This is an Arsenal team being built to last. Much has been made of their £200m-plus summer recruitment spend and its impact on transforming a squad that appeared to have made a habit of falling short into one that finally looks ready to win the biggest prizes.

They have strengthened across the field: attackers Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke have - to varying degrees - made their mark.

Martin Zubimendi has earned rave reviews in central midfield, while Cristhian Mosquera has filled in very ably for first-choice central defensive pairing William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Yet Arsenal's clear ploy in tying down the club's key players since the end of last season is proving just as important in their emergence as the team to beat.

Having already tied down the futures of Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Saliba and Magalhaes over the summer - Arsenal's efforts to sign Bukayo Saka to a new long-term contract have progressed and are advancing amid a growing expectation an agreement will be reached.

To have Saka commit to Arsenal would be as significant to the club as any of the seven summer signings.

His importance to Mikel Arteta has been underlined in recent months with his position as a key member of the team's leadership committee, while he has captained the side in the absence of Martin Odegaard numerous times already.

Of course, Arsenal's commitment to Saka is just as palpable, he's already one of the club's top earners with well-placed sources claiming he will become one of Arsenal's best-paid players when his new deal is confirmed.

Indeed, securing Saka's long-term future may prove the most crucial piece of business completed by sporting director Andrea Berta since his arrival in April.

But Saka's deal isn't the only contract renewal on the horizon.

As BBC Sport revealed earlier this month, the club have started discussions with defender Jurrien Timber with a view to extending his contract.

The Holland international has established himself as a regular for Arteta ever since recovering from a serious knee injury that ruled him out of virtually all the 2023-24 season - his first campaign at the club - and Arsenal want to reward the defender.

Similarly, it won't be too long before Arsenal turn their attentions to Declan Rice's future. The England midfielder still has over two years to run on his current deal but given his status in Arteta's team, Arsenal will want to avoid any uncertainty.

In addition to the talks with Saka and Timber - and the completed renewals of Saliba, Magalhaes, Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly - the Gunners have agreed pay increases with David Raya and Leandro Trossard over the summer months.

With all that in mind, this Arsenal team are set-up to not only win their first Premier League title in over 20 years but build a lasting legacy.

While Berta has garnered hero status with Arsenal fans for his diligent work in the transfer market, his efforts in ensuring the team has a future together is viewed just as importantly internally at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal now have a squad built to win now and long into the horizon.