Arsenal defender William Saliba has agreed a new five-year contract with the club. The France international has two years remaining on his current deal but is expected to sign in the coming days to keep him at the club until 2030.
Saliba, 24, joined the Gunners from Ligue 1 club Saint-Etienne in July 2019 but returned on loan to the French club for the 2019-20 season, before having further loan spells in Ligue 1 at Nice and Marseille.
He has become a key part of manager Mikel Arteta's defence since his debut in August 2022 and has made 137 appearances for Arsenal. His existing contract was due to expire in June 2027, and his excellent form has attracted interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
His commitment to the Gunners will be another boost to Arteta's Premier League and Champions League ambitions, following the long-term deal his defensive partner Gabriel Magalhaes signed until 2029 in June. Arsenal travel to St James' Park to face Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday.
Saliba's partnership with Gabriel has evolved into one of the strongest in the Premier League. His ability to keep the ball and read the game make him the ideal partner for the more physical Brazilian. He has won the ball more often than any other Arsenal player in the Premier League since his debut, and plays a significant role in the construction of the play.
Although Saliba missed the final two months of the 2022-23 season with a back problem, he has only missed four Premier League games since. Summer signings Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie have bolstered the Gunners' central defence, but securing Saliba's long-term future remains a crucial step for the club.
