Mikel Arteta: William Saliba never wanted to join Real Madrid

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Evening Standard

·26 September 2025

Mikel Arteta: William Saliba never wanted to join Real Madrid

Gunners boss says the pair had a frank conversation ahead of the defender agreeing a five-year deal

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Saliba has been tracked by Real Madrid for over a year - but he is now set to sign a new five-year contract with Arsenal.

Arteta has expressed his delight at that and explained how talks with the French centre-back included discussions around Real Madrid wanting to sign him.

“I was quite all right with him, because when you hear that noise, and you can understand certain expectations, and how at the end players have feelings, players have been educated as well in their families, maybe dreaming about something one day and that’s a really natural thing to have,” said Arteta.

“[But] when I sat down with William and I asked him the question, he said: “No, I want to stay here, I want to play for you and I’m very happy’, in his own way, so that’s great to hear.

“I didn’t want to be specific [about what clubs wanted to sign him], but it was obvious the amount of noise that it was around certain clubs.

“We don’t have to name many teams, but there are not as well that many that can come and get Willy out from Arsenal, and probably him being happy to discuss it. So it was clear, and again he was so transparent and honest from the beginning.”

Saliba is set to sign to remain at the heart of Arteta’s defence

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Arsenal have tied down a number of key players in recent months, including Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Saliba will be the latest to follow suit, and Arteta believes it is an indication of how much players believe success is coming at the club.

“Every time I sit with a player and we discuss with the club what their intentions are, the first thing is that they want to continue with us,” he said.

“They want to win with us, they want to continue to grow as a player in this environment and that’s a great thing to have because it’s not always the case or we don’t take it for granted.

“But that means that obviously the club is doing really well as well to make people and staff feel very valuable and happy here.

“He’s been instrumental in everything we’ve done in the last few years. It’s great to see a lot of players willing and so thriving to come into the club.

“That means that they are happy, they feel valued, and they see that this is the best opportunity for them to continue their careers and fulfil the ambition of the club.”