Arsenal have finally tied down one of their most important players, with William Saliba putting pen to paper on a new long-term contract. Softfootball earlier reported that a long term agreement between the two parties was close, and now it’s official, the Frenchman will continue to be at the heart of Mikel Arteta’s project for years to come.
Softfootball understands that Arsenal never had doubts about securing Saliba’s future. Since joining the club in 2019, the 24-year-old has grown into one of the best defenders in world football, making 140 appearances for the gunners across all competitions. His journey to this point has been a very patient one, with important loan moves to Saint-Etienne and Marseille which helped him develop into the world-class defender fans see today.
Arsenal officially announced the contract extension in an exclusive video shared via the team’s official X handle, showing the the central defender watching the Arsenal fans reactions to questions about him, a sight of joy to behold for both the player and the fans, watch the video below;
Saliba’s breakout year came at Marseille, where his amazing performances earned him the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award and a spot in the Team of the Season. That form carried over into his Arsenal career, starting with a fine debut away at Crystal Palace in August 2022. Since then, he has become the foundation of an Arsenal defence that has conceded fewer goals than any other Premier League side over the past two seasons.
Reacting to the exciting news via the team’s website, Sporting Director of Arsenal, Andrea Berta had a few words to say about the frenchman he said:
We’re so happy that William has committed his future to us to be part of what we’re building here. In the last three seasons, William has become an incredible defender whose composure, intelligence and physical presence make him one of the best in the world. He will continue his development with Arsenal to reach new heights.
Also Manager Mikel Arteta also couldn’t hide his admiration for the centerback, he happily stated;
William is loved by all the players and staff, and that speaks volumes about his character, commitment and attitude every day. Since joining us, William has grown so much, embraced responsibility, and has created a strong connection with our supporters and everyone at the club. We know there is still so much to come from him and will continue to work together to keep improving with the clear ambition of winning major trophies.
With the deal now sealed, its no doubt that Arsenal see Saliba as one of the cornerstones of their future success. After missing a few weeks earlier this season through injury, his return to the pitch has already lifted the squad. Arsenal fans are buzzing about the renewal, and with a Champions League clash against Olympiacos up next, the Gunners will be relying on Saliba to marshal the defence and keep their European campaign on track.
