By Olukayode Olumuyiwa
Arsenal have secured the long-term future of William Saliba, with the French defender putting pen to paper on a new contract that keeps him at the Emirates until June 2030, Arsenal.com reports.
The 24-year-old, already regarded among the best centre-backs in world football, expressed his delight at extending his stay at the club he proudly calls home.
Saliba joined Arsenal from Saint-Étienne in 2019 and, after a series of loan spells at Saint-Étienne, Nice, and Marseille, has developed into the heartbeat of Mikel Arteta’s backline. His breakthrough season came at Marseille, where he won the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award in 2021/22 and earned a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season.
Since making his Arsenal debut in August 2022, Saliba has made 140 appearances in all competitions. His commanding presence helped Arsenal register the best defensive record in the Premier League across the last two seasons. Along the way, he scored a memorable first goal for the Gunners – a stunning strike in a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth.
His consistency has been rewarded with three consecutive inclusions in the PFA Team of the Year and recognition in The Best FIFA Men’s 11 in 2024. On the international stage, Saliba has collected 28 caps for France since debuting in March 2022 and was a key figure in their run to the Euro 2024 semi-finals, where he was named in the Team of the Tournament.
Arsenal’s Sporting Director, Andrea Berta, hailed Saliba’s renewal as a major statement of intent, describing him as “an incredible defender whose intelligence, composure, and strength make him one of the very best in the world.”
Manager Mikel Arteta also paid tribute, noting Saliba’s leadership and bond with the club. “William is loved by everyone here,” Arteta said. “He has grown so much, embraced responsibility, and built a strong connection with our fans. We believe the best is still to come from him.”
With this new contract confirmed, Arsenal fans can look forward to seeing Saliba anchor their defense for years to come, as the Gunners push for domestic and European glory.
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