Saliba made his Arsenal debut in a league win against Crystal Palace in 2022
Arsenal centre-back William Saliba says he has signed a new five-year contract at the club because boss Mikel Arteta and his staff can help him “become the best” defender in the world.
The 24-year-old France international’s previous deal was scheduled to expire in June 2027 and speculation had linked him with being a target for Real Madrid.
“The boss is one of the best coaches in the world,” said 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 think I haven’t reached my peak. I have a lot of things to improve, a lot of things to give to this team, and I know that the coach and the staff will help me to become the best, or one of the best, defenders in the world 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 after two loan spells back in France established himself as a key member of the side, making 105 league appearances.
He says he had his doubts whether he would be given a chance in the Premier League.
“When I didn’t play for six months and got sent out on loan, of course I had some doubts. I thought maybe I would never play for this club but I told myself that I could not leave this club without playing.
“I didn’t give up. I went out on loan, I played some games, I came back here and I started playing in almost every game. I’m proud of myself for not ever giving up.”
Saliba follows centre-back partner Gabriel Magalhaes, who extended his Gunners deal until 2029 in June, in committing to the north London club.
‘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.
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.
