This season, the Frenchman has already become a crucial member of Mikel Arteta’s team, but with his contract set to expire in less than 18 months, there are concerns about his long-term future.
Although William Saliba, an Arsenal defender, has excelled in the Premier League this season, there are mounting concerns over his long-term future in north London as the Gunners refuse to extend his current contract.
The Frenchman is in the last 18 months of the five-year deal he signed in 2019, but given how well he has performed through the first seven games of the season, it is now crucial that a new agreement is reached.
However, the situation’s lack of clarity and urgency has given Arsenal supporters much to worry about, and club icon Nigel Winterburn is dreading the worst and has encouraged Saliba to commit his future to the team.
It looked like he was going to leave in the summer, but he’s been very impressive since he came into the team. He can read the game very well, he’s quick and looks like a good defender, so I think it’s important that Arsenal do not let that contract get into next season.
Nigel Winterburn
If they do, then they’ll end up putting themselves in a whole lot of trouble. I don’t think it’s difficult because you ask the player if he wants to stay, if they do then you sort out the contract. If you’re enjoying your football and enjoy where you are, then sort the contract out and get it done as quickly as possible.
For someone young like Saliba, he’s getting a lot of game time, he’s enjoying his football so don’t let that contract run down and cause issues down the line. Money isn’t everything, enjoying what you do is really important, and Saliba is currently a big part of this Arsenal team so I wouldn’t expect any problems
Saliba, who had a standout season while on loan at Marseille, was on the verge of departing in the summer, as Winterburn points out. 52 appearances were made by the centre back in all competitions, and he was also chosen to the Ligue 1 Team of the Year and received the Young Player of the Year honour.
Saliba, though, had concerns about his playing time upon returning to Arsenal this season and was ready to quit the squad in order to establish himself as a first team regular somewhere before Arteta guaranteed him a chance to shine — and he hasn’t looked back since.
However, his accomplishments this season have raised his market value, and if he doesn’t already have a new contract in place by next summer, there will be no shortage of suitors hoping to sign him as he approaches the end of his contract. Arsenal must specifically stay away from that.
Saliba recently told Sky Sports that he “felt at home there. I enjoy everything, including London and the club. I feel at home here,” the footballer reportedly said in response to news that the Gunners had at last started contract negotiations with him.
Additionally, former striker Kevin Campbell assured Arsenal supporters that a new deal is “settled” and offered additional comfort. There is a new deal that is going to be worked out, he said to Football Insider. The sooner Arsenal supporters realise it, the better. He is extraordinary.
Saliba came in as a substitute for France on Thursday in their 2-0 win over Austria in their UEFA Nations League group. Saliba is definitely going to be in Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad. If the 21-year-old does well in Qatar, it is even more crucial that Arsenal sign him to a contract as soon as possible.