Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta shares unique reason behind contract decisions: "It's also an incentive"

Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal's young guns are desperate to fill their "empty tummies" with trophies.

The Spaniard is adamant his title-chasing stars have justified the flurry of bumper contract extensions dished out by Edu in the past 12 months and their collective hunger is fueling the club's bid to end the 20-year wait for a Premier League title.

Arteta said: "We know with those players, their tummies are still very empty - because they haven’t won a lot and they want to improve. That’s part of the reason why we wanted to renew because we know this is something that could be motivating to them and that gives them reassurance.

“It's also an incentive to continue doing what they’re doing. That’s not going to stop them from being willing to be better and to improve because they are still so young and have so much to do.”

Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's form previously nosedived after the pair signed new lucrative deals but Arteta's relentless standards and the club's burning desire to win trophies has helped ensure players keep both feet firmly on the ground after putting pen to paper.

Bukayo Saka is spearheading Arsenal's pursuit of glory having struck eight times in his past seven top-flight outings ahead of tomorrow's trip to Sheffield United. The England international now has 16 goals and 13 assists to his name in all competitions - bettering both of his final tallies from last season.

Arteta said in response to those that had doubted the 22-year-old during a recent barren run that saw him score just once in 11 Premier League appearances: “Players have moments. You can analyse just the attacking stats or the goals or assists. Then you make the judgement because of that, that’s it.

“But his overall play,