William Saliba has confirmed talks are ongoing with Arsenal over a new contract.
The 21-year-old defender has shone for Arsenal since returning from loan, becoming a key figure at the start of this season. He starred as Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 on Saturday.
21-year-old William Saliba has played 720 minutes of Premier League football without being successfully dribbled past by an opponent.
And he's won possession more times than any other player in the league. 🧊 pic.twitter.com/0s3W3YoOTS
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 1, 2022
His contracts expires in the summer of 2024 and Arsenal have begun talks to extend his stay at Emirates Stadium.
And when asked about a new contract after this weekend’s game, William Saliba said: “We will see. They talk a little bit. We will see.
“I wait a long time for my first north London derby,” he added. “I enjoyed it since the first minute to the end, and I am so happy. It’s a derby, a big game, where all the fans and the players want to win. I like to play big games like this.”
Arsenal are keen to tie down William Saliba to a new contract.
Saliba joined Arsenal in 2019 from Saint-Etienne for £27million, but he only made his debut this year after being loaned out for the past three seasons.
Saturday’s game against Spurs was his first ever north London derby and the France international says it was worth the wait.
Arsenal took the lead in the 20th minute through Thomas Partey, but Kane’s penalty 11 minutes after that unsettled them. Saliba was notably one of those to keep his cool at 1-1 and Arsenal wrapped up the win in the second half, thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka.
Saliba had his name sung by the Arsenal fans as he left the pitch and he is relishing playing against the likes of Kane each week.
William Saliba “I wait a long time for my first NLD.
I enjoyed it since the first minute to the end, and I am so happy.
It’s a derby, a big game, where all the fans and the players want to win.
I like to play big games like this.”pic.twitter.com/TCkoc5bEoD
— Gilles 🇳🇬🏴 (@_Grimanditweets) October 3, 2022
The centre-back is expected to be rested for Thursday night’s Europa League clash against Bodo/Glimt. Arsenal then return to Premier League action on Sunday when they host Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.
