Arsenal centre-back William Saliba says he has signed a new five-year contract on the membership as a result of boss Mikel Arteta and his workers can assist him “become the best” defender on this planet.
The 24-year-old France worldwide’s earlier deal was scheduled to expire in June 2027 and hypothesis had linked him with being a goal for Real Madrid.
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“The boss is one of the best coaches in the world,” stated Saliba. “He has helped me a lot, him and his staff, so I’m so happy to have them as a coach.
“I’m 24 now, and I believe I have not reached my peak. I’ve plenty of issues to enhance, plenty of issues to give to this workforce, and I do know that the coach and the workers will assist me to grow to be one of the best, or among the best, defenders on this planet and win trophies.”
‘We know there is still so much to come from him’
Saliba joined the Gunners from Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne in July 2019 and was loaned back to the French club for the 2019-20 season before having further loan spells in Ligue 1 at Nice and Marseille.
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He made his Arsenal debut in August 2022 and has established himself as a key member of the side, making 105 league appearances for the Gunners, scoring six goals and registering two assists.
“Since becoming a member of us, William has grown a lot, embraced accountability, and has created a robust reference to our supporters and everybody on the membership,” said Arteta.
“We know there may be nonetheless a lot to come from him and can proceed to work collectively to maintain enhancing with the clear ambition of profitable main trophies.”
Saliba follows centre-back partner Gabriel Magalhaes, who extended his Gunners deal until 2029 in June, in committing to the north London club.
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The announcement of Saliba’s new deal comes following a last-gasp win at Newcastle United on Sunday which moved the Gunners second in the Premier League and just two points behind leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta added: “In the final three seasons, William has grow to be an unbelievable defender whose composure, intelligence and bodily presence make him among the best on this planet.
“He will continue his development with Arsenal to reach new heights.”
‘Huge for our nation’ – Coady
Former Liverpool and Wolves defender Conor Coady, who’s now at Wrexham, instructed BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday that Saliba signing a new deal might be a reduction for Arsenal.
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“Whenever I have played against William Saliba, he has played way beyond his years,” stated Coady.
“When players are running down their deals, it is in their hands – they have the power and control.
“Arsenal might be pondering, ‘thank God he has signed’.
“To have these players in the Premier League is huge for our country. Teams circling, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid – they’re tough to turn down.
“For him to do this and need to keep at Arsenal, I believe is sensible for him and the soccer membership.”
‘A major piece of business for Arsenal’
William Saliba signing a new contract is as important as the squad building work carried out by Andrea Berta and Arsenal in the summer.
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The noises from Saliba and around the club were that all parties always felt confident of getting a deal done and the centre-back himself said he would “hopefully” sign a new deal with the club while on the pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong.
He is possibly their most important defender. Saliba’s partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes is arguably the best in the Premier League and their presence is a big part of what makes Arsenal so threatening from set-pieces.
The club have now tied down most of their key players on long-term deals, with just Bukayo Saka left to extend, and the message from these new contracts is that all of the players believe that they can win the trophies they crave at Arsenal.