William Saliba was well aware he was a potential transfer target for Real Madrid but chose to commit to Arsenal by signing a new long-term contract.
That is according to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who spoke at a press conference on Friday — 24 hours after news broke that Saliba had agreed a new five-year deal tying him to the Emirates Stadium until June 2030.
Arsenal have not yet officially announced the extension — which, as FootballBlog.co.uk revealed, increased Saliba’s transfer value to more than £100 million. But Arteta appeared to admit the deal is effectively done.
“Hopefully it will be everybody in the world, Arsenal included, reporting it very soon and that’s what I’m hoping,” Arteta said, as quoted by Arsenal.com. “But let’s leave the club to announce that when it’s all done.”
William Saliba “wanted to stay” at Arsenal despite Real Madrid interest
The Arsenal boss also revealed that he had spoken directly to Saliba amid reports linking the France international with Madrid — and came away reassured.
“I was quite direct with him,” Arteta said. “When you hear that noise, you can understand there are certain expectations. At the end, players have feelings and maybe dream about something one day — that’s natural.
“When I saw that with William I asked him the question, and he said no, I want to stay here, I want to play here for you, I’m very happy. In his own way, that’s great to hear.”
Arteta added: “There was obviously a lot of noise around certain clubs. There aren’t many that can come and get William out of Arsenal. It was clear, and he was so honest from the beginning.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had plenty to say about William Saliba during Friday’s press conference
William Saliba “instrumental” to Arsenal’s rise, says Mikel Arteta
Arteta was full of praise for the 24-year-old’s development and importance to his side.
“He’s been instrumental in everything we’ve done in the last few years,” Arteta said. “It’s very impressive what he’s achieved at his age — his consistency, the way he’s matured as a person, his role in the team has grown year after year.
“He’s built a partnership with Gabi [Magalhaes] especially, and with the back line and the keeper. That’s given us the best defensive record in the last three years, and he’s been pivotal to that.”
The numbers back that up. Since Saliba’s Premier League debut in 2022, Arsenal have conceded fewer goals than any other side. They shipped just 29 goals in 2023/24 and 34 in 2024/25 — the best defensive record in the league in both campaigns.
William Saliba, pictured (left) playing for Arsenal in the 2023 MLS All-Star Game, agreed a new contract this week
This season, Arteta’s men have again looked solid at the back, conceding only two goals in their first five games — one at Liverpool and one at home to Manchester City — while keeping three clean sheets.
Saliba has already amassed 104 Premier League appearances for Arsenal — 138 games in all competitions — underlining how quickly he has become the defensive cornerstone of Arteta’s side.
The Arsenal boss also reflected on how far Saliba has exceeded expectations since returning from his loan spells in France.
When Saliba joined Arsenal in 2019, he was immediately loaned back to Saint-Etienne before further temporary spells at Nice and Marseille. At times, his long-term Arsenal future looked uncertain. But Arteta said their relationship eventually aligned and allowed the defender to flourish.
“Especially the way we started our relationship, we probably had different expectations of how to create the best pathway for him,” Arteta admitted.
“But at some point we reached the same conclusion, started to work together, and everything started to flourish. The potential was always there — it was about timing and creating the right environment.”
That patience has paid off and Saliba is now considered a world-class centre-back — as reflected by his mammoth transfer value.
Next up for William Saliba and Arsenal
Although Saliba dominated the discussion, Arteta’s original purpose on Friday was to preview Arsenal’s upcoming trip to Newcastle.
The Gunners will face the Magpies at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon, where Saliba will be hoping to shut out an attack that will include £69m summer signing Nick Woltemade and England star Anthony Gordon, back in the fold after serving a three-match suspension.
