William Saliba has indicated that he is close to signing a contract extension with Arsenal, telling AFTV, “Hopefully soon! God is great. This year we will try to win everything.”
the French defenderS current deal is set to expire in 2027, and his potential departure would be a critically important blow to Mikel Arteta’s side. Real Madrid’s acquisition of trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, after the right-back’s contract ran down, serves as a cautionary tale for Arsenal.
Saliba’s Crucial Role for Arsenal
Saliba has emerged as one of the Premier League’s premier defenders, drawing comparisons to Virgil van Dijk. In the 2024-25 season, the 24-year-old won 66% of his ground duels, a higher success rate than Van Dijk’s 62%. Beyond his defensive prowess, Saliba is also adept with the ball at his feet, attempting 2,547 passes in the top flight last season, a figure surpassed by only two other players.
His partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes is considered one of the most formidable in the league, and their continued presence will be vital for Arsenal’s title aspirations in the 2025-26 campaign.
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Fwilliam-saliba.jpg "Arsenal Saliba Contract: Latest on Future and Real Madrid Interest")
Potential Contractual Concerns for Arsenal
While saliba’s positive update will be a relief to supporters, concerns may linger until an official declaration is made. However, the club may face more pressing contractual issues with other key players. Bukayo Saka, another talisman for Arsenal, also has his contract expiring in 2027. Despite his strong ties to the club, the precedent set by Alexander-Arnold’s move from Liverpool to Real Madrid highlights that player loyalty alone cannot guarantee contract renewals.
Arteta has faced scrutiny for his inability to secure silverware in recent seasons. If Arsenal fails to achieve trophy success in the 2025-26 season,it is plausible that key players might begin to consider their long-term futures at the club.
