Mikel Arteta hinted that reports William Saliba has agreed terms on a new long-term contract are correct, but stressed that the final confirmation must come from the club itself.
According to David Ornstein, Saliba has reached an agreement with Arsenal to extend his stay until 2030, with the formal signing expected in the coming days.
Speaking at his pre-Newcastle press conference, Arteta was asked about that report and said, “So yeah, hopefully it will be everybody in the world, Arsenal included, [reporting it] very soon and that’s what I’m hoping but let’s leave the club to announce that when it’s all done.”
Asked how important Saliba is to his side, Arteta replied, “He certainly is and he’s been instrumental in everything we’ve done in the last few years. It’s great to see a lot of players willing and so driven to come into the club.
“That means that they are happy, they feel valued and they see that this is the best opportunity for them to continue their careers and fulfil the ambition of the club.”
On Saliba’s development since breaking into the first team, Arteta added, “Well, it’s very impressive what he’s done at his age because sometimes we tend to forget. But his consistency, I think, the way he’s progressed, I think the way he’s matured as well as a person and his role in the team has grown year after year.
“I think he’s built a partnership with Gabi especially but with the back line and the keeper that has given the best defensive record in the last three years I think, and he’s been pivotal to that.”
Saliba, who joined from Saint-Étienne in 2019, endured three loan spells before finally establishing himself in August 2022.
Since then, he has become a cornerstone of Arteta’s system and one of the most admired centre-backs in Europe, with Real Madrid among those monitoring his situation.
His new deal represents a major statement of intent by Arsenal as they seek to retain their core players during the peak years of their careers.