William Saliba has signed a new contract with Arsenal that will keep him at the Emirates until 2030, choosing to commit his prime years to the club despite interest from Real Madrid.
The French defender, now 24, made clear that staying in north London was never simply about security but about delivering silverware.
“I feel proud of myself because I first signed in 2019, and now in 2025, I’m still here to extend my contract. I’m so happy,” he said after putting pen to paper.
“I feel at home. We have a good team, we have a good squad, we have good staff. The coach is perfect for me, so it’s the best place to be. I enjoy every day when I have the chance to wear this shirt. I try to give everything, and now I’ll give even more to this club and to the fans.”
Since his debut away to Crystal Palace in 2022, Saliba has become indispensable under Mikel Arteta, approaching 150 appearances and establishing himself among the best defenders in the game.
“When you sign, you dream of playing many games, but it comes so quickly,” he reflected. “Before I signed, I didn’t realise that I would play a lot of games like this so it’s good and I want to play more.
“When I signed, I went back to Saint-Etienne, and I came back and became a starter so a lot of things have happened, but I’m so proud of my journey. I never gave up, even in the tough moments. Of course, I wanted to play straight away, but I didn’t expect that it would be as good as it was.
“I played well, we almost won the league in the first season, and we almost won the league the season after as well. I’m happy now, but not 100% happy because we have to do more. We have to win titles, because it’s what we want, what the club wants.”
He underlined the influence of Arteta and his staff on his development. “The boss is one of the best coaches in the world. He has helped me a lot, him and his staff, so I’m so happy to have them as a coach.
“I’m 24 now, and I think I haven’t reached my peak. I have a lot of things to improve, a lot of things to give to this team, and I know that the coach and the staff will help me to become the best, or one of the best, defenders in the world and win trophies.”
Saliba also highlighted the impact of supporters on his decision to stay.
He recalled the bond forged as early as his loan spells, and how it deepened once he established himself in the side. “I’ve enjoyed it since the first time I heard it,” he said of the chant that has been his own since his first goal against Bournemouth.
“I feel proud whenever I hear these songs, so thanks to the fans. I have a special connection with them, because even when I was on loan, when I was not playing here, they would send me messages to say: ‘one day, you will play for this club, you don’t have to give up.’
“I will never forget this. Thank you for everything, thank you for the support. We know what they are waiting for, and we’ll give our best, even more than the previous season, to give them what they want.”