Amid swirling rumors linking William Saliba to European giants Real Madrid, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has lauded the French defender’s loyalty and maturity. Saliba, who has reportedly agreed to a new five-year deal with the Gunners, chose to stay in North London despite high-profile interest—an act Arteta says speaks volumes about his character and commitment to the club.
Saliba Chooses Arsenal Over Real Madrid
According to trusted reporter David Ornstein, William Saliba has reached an agreement on a long-term contract extension with Arsenal, rebuffing advances from Real Madrid. Arteta, speaking ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League clash with Newcastle, confirmed that while the official announcement is still pending, he’s confident it’s only a matter of time before the deal is public.
“Hopefully everyone will hear it soon—from Arsenal itself,” Arteta said. “It’s great news for the club, and a testament to what we’re building here.”
A Defensive Anchor at Just 24
Since returning from loan spells in France, Saliba has become a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defense. Arteta emphasized the 24-year-old’s incredible development, consistency, and partnership with Gabriel Magalhães at the heart of the backline—one that has helped Arsenal boast one of the best defensive records in recent years.
“We often forget how young he still is,” Arteta noted. “The maturity and composure he shows, week in and week out, are rare. His impact on our defensive structure has been massive.”
A Transparent Conversation Behind the Scenes
Arteta revealed that he had an open and honest conversation with Saliba regarding the transfer speculation, including the pull of a club as iconic as Real Madrid.
“When I sat down with William, I asked him directly what he wanted,” said Arteta. “He told me, ‘I want to stay here and play for you.’ That was great to hear.”
The Arsenal boss added that while many top clubs may be interested, “there aren’t many teams who can lure Willy away from Arsenal—and he made that very clear.”
From Loan Spells to Defensive Star
Saliba’s journey to becoming a first-team regular wasn’t without detours. After signing from Saint-Étienne in 2019, he had stints at Nice and Marseille, where he was named Ligue 1’s Young Player of the Season. While some fans questioned his absence during crucial periods for Arsenal, Arteta believes the path taken was necessary for Saliba’s long-term growth.
“We had different views at first about his development,” Arteta admitted. “But over time, we aligned. It was all about giving him the right environment to thrive—and he’s done just that.”
Arsenal Building for the Future
Arteta also touched on the broader commitment from Arsenal’s young core, many of whom have signed long-term contracts through 2025 and beyond.
“It’s not something we take for granted,” he said. “The club has done a fantastic job in making players feel valued and invested in our project.”
Asked about the possibility of Bukayo Saka being the next in line for a contract extension, Arteta responded with optimism: “I would love that! Bukayo is extremely happy here, and he knows how important he is to us. Things will evolve naturally.”
