🚨 William Saliba Signs New Five-Year Contract with Arsenal
Arsenal have officially confirmed that French defender William Saliba has signed a new long-term contract with the club, committing his future to the Gunners until 2028. The new five-year deal is a major statement of intent from both the player and the club, underlining Arsenal’s ambition to build a squad capable of sustained success at the highest level.
Saliba’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Signed from Saint-Étienne in 2019 as a highly-rated teenager, his early years with Arsenal were marked by loan spells in France, including at Saint-Étienne, Nice, and Marseille. Those experiences proved crucial in his development, allowing him to mature both on and off the pitch before breaking into the Arsenal first team.
Since establishing himself in the starting lineup at the beginning of the 2022/23 season, Saliba has been nothing less than exceptional. His composure on the ball, defensive awareness, physical presence, and ability to read the game have quickly made him one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. He has formed a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhães, becoming a central figure in Mikel Arteta’s defensive setup.
The importance of this contract cannot be overstated. Arsenal’s defense noticeably suffered during Saliba’s injury absence at the tail end of the 2022/23 season, which coincided with the club’s drop in form during their title challenge. His presence at the back brings confidence and balance, allowing the team to play with a high line and dominate possession in Arteta’s tactical system.
Sporting Director Edu Gaspar expressed his delight with the deal, emphasizing how much the club values Saliba as a foundational piece of their project. Mikel Arteta also praised the defender’s attitude, development, and commitment, stating that Saliba embodies the qualities Arsenal are building around.
This new contract follows a series of key extensions at Arsenal, including deals for Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale, and Martin Ødegaard. Together, these signings reflect a clear strategy from the club: to secure the long-term futures of their most important young talents and build a competitive squad with both present impact and future potential.
For Saliba, this contract is a sign of trust and ambition. Speaking to the club’s media, he expressed his happiness to remain in North London and his desire to win trophies with Arsenal. “I feel at home here,” he said. “The fans, the staff, my teammates — everything is perfect. I want to give everything for this club.”
With the 2025/26 season ahead, Arsenal supporters will be thrilled to see Saliba continue anchoring their defense. At just 24 years old, he still has his best years ahead of him, and this deal ensures those years will be spent in red and white.
Verdict: Arsenal’s project under Mikel Arteta takes another big step forward. Keeping Saliba is not just about retaining talent — it’s about building a team ready to challenge consistently at the top of English and European football.