Give credit where credit is due: Saka extends his deal with Arsenal until 2031

Arsenal's recent policy of extending contracts to key players has continued. After the centre-back tandem, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, and the duo of youngsters, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, the Gunners' Starboy, child, and vice-captain, Bukayo Saka, signed an extension until 2031.

At the same time, he'll become Arsenal's highest earner, with around £300,000 per week, dethroning Kai Havertz, who earns £20,000 less.

Saka's previous deal was set to expire in 2027, but the North London side wanted to show appreciation and highlight his importance for the team with this "early" extension.

The England international and Arsenal's academy graduate has played 290 games and scored 77 goals since joining the first team in 2018. This season, he made 27 appearances, finding the net seven times.

Price of a title race: Arsenal send a gem on loan?

Given the situation in the Premier League, Saka and the Gunners may finally achieve their long-term dream of winning the title after a 22-year drought, as they hold a six-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, although the title race is far from over.

Yet, before the fierce EPL battle continues, the Gunners will start their campaign in the FA Cup against the Championship side Portsmouth on the road (17.00), and are firm favourites to advance in the competition they have won 14 times.

FA CUP - ROUND 3

Friday

Milton Keynes Dons - Oxford 3-4 on pen (1-1)

/Collins 34 - Lankshear 52/

Port Vale - Fleetwood 1-0 (1-0)

/Shipley 45+2/

Preston - Wigan 0-1 (0-0)

/Bettoni 75/

Wrexham - Nottingham Forest 4-3 on pen (3-3)

/Cacace 37, Rathbone 40, Hyam 74 - Jesus 64, Hudson-Odoi 76, 89/

Saturday

Cheltenham - Leicester 0-2 (0-2)

/Daka 23, Mavididi 45/

Everton - Sunderland 0-3 on pen (1-1)

/Garner 89 pen - La Fee 90/

Macclesfield - Crystal Palace 2-1 (1-0)

/Dawson 43, Buckley 61 - Pino 90/

Wolverhampton - Shrewsbury 6-1 (3-1)

/Larsen 9, 41, 58, Arias 11, Gomes 86, Arokodare 90+2 - Marquis 26 pen/

Manchester City - Exeter City 10-1 (4-0)

/Alleyne 12, Rodri 24, Hayes 42 og, Fitzwater 45+2 og, Lewis 49, 90+1, Semenyo 54, Reijnders 71, O'Reilly 79, McAidoo 86 - Birch 90/

Boreham Wood - Burton 0-5 (0-2)

/Lofthouse 35, O'Connell 41 og, Tavares 67, Williams 83, McKiernan 90+2/

Burnley - Millwall 5-1 (3-0)

/Barnes 11, 65, Tchaouna 35, Anthony 44, Banel 89 - Coburn 90+4/

Doncaster - Southampton 2-3 (0-3)

/Pearson 48, Gibson 59 - Bragg 8, Archer 24, Matsuki 41/

Fulham - Middlesbrough 3-1 (0-1)

/Wilson 60, Smith Rowe 77, Kevin 90+3 - Hackney 30/

Ipswich - Blackpool 2-1 (1-0)

/Philogene-Bidace 35, Greaves 87 - Fletcher 90+6/

Newcastle - Bournemouth 7-6 on pen (3-3)

/Barnes 50, 118, Gordon 90+5 pen - Scott 62, Brooks 68, Tavernier 120+2/

Salford City - Swindon POSTPONED

Sheffield Wednesday - Brentford 0-2 (0-1)

/Lewis-Potter 27, Jensen 64 pen/

Stoke - Coventry 1-0 (0-0)

/Cisse 88/

Bristol City - Watford 5-1 (2-0)

/Jacobsen 2,68,76, Mehmeti 37, Atkinson 66 - Grieves 74/

Cambridge - Birmingham 2-3 (0-2)

/Kaikai 80,89 - Wagner 31, Furuhashi 42, Ducksch 78/

Grimsby - Weston 3-2 (1-0)

/Vernam 41, Kabia 70, Green 86 - Coulson 49, Britton 77/

Tottenham - Aston Villa 1-2 (0-2)

/Odobert 54 - Buendia 22, Rogers 45+3/

Charlton - Chelsea 1-5 (0-1)

/Leaburn 57 - Hato 45+1, Adarabioyo 50, Guiu 62, Neto 90+1, Enzo 90+4 pen/

Sunday

15.00: (5.10) Derby (3.60) Leeds (1.73)

17.00: (12.0) Portsmouth (6.50) Arsenal (1.22)

17.30: (2.20) Hull (3.45) Blackburn (3.25)

17.30: (1.62) Norwich (3.80) Walsall (5.80)

17.30: (1.42) Sheffield Utd (4.60) Mansfield (7.50)

17.30: (2.55) Swansea (3.20) WBA (2.85)

17.30: (1.58) West Ham (4.00) QPR (5.90)

19.30: (1.88) Man.Utd. (3.60) Brighton (4.10)

***odds are subject to change***