Arsenal confirm five-year contract for star international defender | OneFootball

Arsenal have secured the long-term future of one of their most important players with William Saliba committing to a new five-year contract.

The France international, who has been a mainstay in Mikel Arteta’s defence, was being courted by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, but Saliba has chosen to stay in North London, confident that Arsenal can help him fulfil his ambitions.

Arsenal manager Arteta, speaking ahead of the club’s confirmation of the new deal praised Saliba’s “consistency and maturity, the way he’s progressed, the way he’s matured as a person and his role in the team has grown year after year.” He added that Saliba has been “instrumental in everything we’ve done in the last few years.”

Sporting director Andrea Berta has made keeping key players tied down a major priority since his arrival.

With Saliba now locked in until 2030, next on the list is England forward Bukayo Saka. A club academy graduate, Saka has grown into one of the Premier League’s most dangerous wide players, impressive both in goal contributions and work rate.

He also remains a regular for England, and securing his long-term future is seen as another statement of intent from the Arsenal hierarchy.

Saliba’s decision to commit is seen as hugely positive for both player and club. With Arteta and Berta behind him, and an Arsenal squad increasingly built around talent that sees its future with the club.