Arsenal’s rock in defence, William Saliba, has committed his future to the club by signing a new long-term contract.

The 22-year-old French international was pivotal in the 2022/23 campaign and is set to continue being an integral part of Arsenal’s vision for a successful future.

• William Saliba, French international and Arsenal defender, has signed a new long-term contract with the club, underlining his critical role in the 2022/23 campaign.
• The young star has shown impressive performances, earning him a place in the France squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
• With his new contract, Saliba is set to take on the number 2 shirt for the 2023/24 season, heralding a new chapter in his career at Arsenal.

Signing the then 18-year-old from Saint-Etienne in July 2019, Arsenal had a clear vision of fostering a talent who would make significant contributions to the club’s defensive capabilities.

The faith in Saliba’s ability was such that, despite loan spells back to Ligue 1 and a brief stint with Nice, his presence within the Arsenal family remained strong.

For the 2021/22 season, Saliba was loaned to Marseille, a move that proved instrumental in his development. Featuring in four different competitions, Saliba became a central figure at the club, making 52 appearances.

Saliba returned to Arsenal for the 2022/23 campaign and promptly demonstrated his worth.

Making 33 appearances in all competitions, Saliba scored three goals and provided an assist from the heart of the defence.

His performances did not go unnoticed on the international scene, with Saliba earning a place in the France squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Saliba’s new contract is a testament to his significance at Arsenal.

At just 22, he shows promise of further development, with a great deal of potential yet to be tapped into.

With this new contract, Saliba is also set to take on a new shirt number for the 2023/24 season, moving to the number 2, underlining his prominent role in the team’s future.

Edu, Arsenal’s Sporting Director, couldn’t hide his excitement about Saliba’s commitment. “We are so happy to have signed a new deal with William Saliba. William is part of our vision to keep our talented young players, who will hopefully be successful with us for many years to come, so that we can grow and progress together,” he stated.

Manager Mikel Arteta echoed these sentiments, “To have William extend his contract with us was something we have wanted to do for a long time. William proved last season just how good and how important he is to our squad.”

With Saliba’s extended contract, Arsenal fans can look forward to seeing the young star continue to shine at the heart of their defence, bringing stability to the squad.

The coming years promise to be an exciting time for both William Saliba and Arsenal.

Arsenal’s number 2 shirt

As William Saliba gears up to wear the number 2 shirt for Arsenal in the 2023/24 season, we look back at the prestigious history associated with this squad number.

Many of Arsenal’s greatest players have donned the number 2, shaping the history and reputation of the shirt that Saliba will now wear.

• The number 2 shirt at Arsenal, set to be worn by William Saliba in the 2023/24 season, has a rich history with many notable players including Héctor Bellerín and Pat Rice.

The legacy of the number 2

Worn by an array of talented players over the decades, Arsenal’s number 2 shirt has a special place in the club’s history.

The number 2 has traditionally been associated with right backs and central defenders, a legacy that William Saliba is set to carry forward.

Pioneers of the shirt

In the early days of squad numbering, players like Eddie Kelly and David Court, wearing the number 2, contributed significantly to Arsenal’s reputation.

Don Howe, a stalwart in defence, was one of the earliest players to consistently wear the number 2 shirt in the mid-60s.

The Pat Rice era

Pat Rice, arguably one of Arsenal’s most revered right backs, wore the number 2 shirt from 1969 to 1980, setting a standard for future wearers.

His industrious work rate, technical ability and leadership qualities exemplified what it meant to wear the number 2 at Arsenal.

Modern custodians

In the modern era, the number 2 has been donned by a series of esteemed players.

Lee Dixon’s reign from 1987 to 2002 was a golden period for the shirt.

In recent years, the likes of Mathieu Debuchy and Héctor Bellerín have carried on the tradition, providing consistency in defence and attacking threat from the flanks.

Passing the torch to Saliba

Now, William Saliba inherits the number 2 shirt, stepping into the shoes of the many greats who wore it before him.

At just 22, Saliba shows promise of carrying forward the legacy, embodying the blend of defensive solidity and adventurous spirit that has been characteristic of the number 2 shirt.

As Saliba begins this new chapter in his Arsenal career, he carries not just the expectations of the present but the rich history of a shirt worn by legends.

His journey in the number 2 shirt will add to the chronicles of this iconic number, further shaping its identity in the seasons to come.