William Saliba signs new five year contract with Arsenal | OneFootball

Arsenal have secured a significant boost to their long-term ambitions after William Saliba (24) agreed a new five-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2030.

As reported by BBC Sport, the 24-year-old France international still had two years remaining on his existing deal, but his consistent performances since his 2022 breakthrough prompted the Gunners to move swiftly to secure his future.

Signed from Saint-Etienne in 2019, Saliba endured a series of loans in Ligue 1 before establishing himself as the defensive cornerstone of Mikel Arteta’s project. Since making his debut against Crystal Palace in August 2022, he has amassed 137 appearances and become integral to one of the Premier League’s most resilient backlines.

The timing of the agreement is particularly significant given transfer interest from Real Madrid. Arsenal, having lost Saliba to injury during the critical run-in of the 2022-23 title race, know first-hand his irreplaceable influence, with no Arsenal player having recovered possession more frequently since his debut, while his progressive passing and forward carries provide a platform for Arteta’s attacking structure.

The Gunners face Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday.

GFN | Finn Entwistle