Arsenal have no intention of selling William Saliba and the centre-back is expected to start against Crystal Palace tonight, according to reports.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Kai Havertz of Chelsea challenges William Saliba of Arsenal during the Florida Cup match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Camping World Stadium on July 23, 2022. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Kai Havertz of Chelsea challenges William Saliba of Arsenal during the Florida Cup match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Camping World Stadium on July 23, 2022. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

The Telegraph report that Arsenal have no intention of selling William Saliba this summer, and there’s talk of a new contract.

The same outlet goes on to add that if Saliba doesn’t sign an extension, a sale will have crossed the minds of Mikel Arteta and Edu. But Arsenal are hoping to give him the chance to show his progress as a player this campaign.

That starts on Friday night, with the Evening Standard reporting that Saliba is expected to start the season opener against Crystal Palace.

Saliba made his breakthrough into the Arsenal side during pre-season, when Ben White was absent through injury.

The French centre-back impressed in his first start, to the extent that he made it difficult to drop him out for White upon the Englishman’s return.

Saliba’s situation was then indirectly aided by Takehiro Tomiyasu’s continuing injury problems, as White ended up coming back into the lineup as a right-back alternative to Tomiyasu.

The upshot of all that was that Saliba started against Everton, came off the bench against Orlando City, and then played 90 minutes against Chelsea and Sevilla, appearing in all four games he was available for.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: William Saliba #12 of Arsenal and Dominic Calvert-Lewin #9 of Everton go after the ball in the first half during a preseason friendly at M&T Bank Stadium on July 16, 2022. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: William Saliba #12 of Arsenal and Dominic Calvert-Lewin #9 of Everton go after the ball in the first half during a preseason friendly at M&T Bank Stadium on July 16, 2022. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

It’s no surprise the defender is now set to start against Crystal Palace, and if things go well, you’d expect him to keep his place beyond that.

That should keep Saliba happy in the build-up to the World Cup, and it will hopefully nudge him to extend his contract.