After returning to the Emirates Stadium from a productive loan stint, William Saliba has been one of Arsenal’s star players thus far this season.
By participating in the UEFA Champions League again the following year, Arsenal can guarantee William Saliba’s long-term future at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are currently in first place in the Premier League standings and appear to be strong favorites to finish in the top four at the end of the year. Due to Mikel Arteta receiving harsh criticism, Arsenal missed out on a top four berth last season at the expense of their north London rivals Tottenham.
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The Gunners are in great form right now, having already qualified for the final stages of the Europa League and battling Manchester City for the Premier League title as we move into the World Cup break in Qatar.
Saliba, who returned after a productive loan stint with Marseille last season during which he won the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season award, has been essential to Arsenal’s outstanding results, preserving six clean sheets in 14 appearances across all competitions.
With Atletico among the clubs linked to the French defender going into the summer transfer window, it was uncertain how long he would stay at the Emirates Stadium.
Saliba, a 21-year-old defender, has established himself as one of the best in the English Premier League this season after Arsenal was able to persuade him to stay with the team. The Gunners have benefited from that decision.
Saliba has been called up to the France side as a result of his achievements, and the Arsenal star now appears certain to start for his nation at the World Cup this winter.
Since the defender’s current deal is set to expire next summer, the Gunners are still eager to sign him to a new, long-term deal. However, they do have the option to do so.
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Saliba are all expected to receive new contracts in the upcoming months, along with technical director Edu Gaspar, who has impressed with his work in the transfer market. Gabriel Magalhaes recently signed a new deal to keep him at the Emirates Stadium until 2027.
Atletico have a “massive problem” at center-back, according to the Spanish publication Fichajes, with Felipe, Stefan Savic, and Jose Maria Gimenez “not performing to the level expected of them.” Manager Diego Simeone is rumored to have Saliba’s signing at the Wanda Metropolitano as one of his “greatest wishes.”
According to the source, Atletico got “very close” to signing the French center-back before he signed with Arsenal in 2019 for £27 million. Following Saliba’s strong performances while on loan for Marseille in Ligue 1 as he assisted the French team’s return to the UEFA Champions League, it was believed that the La Liga team had “returned to the fray last season.”
Tuesday night’s elimination of Atletico from Europe’s premier club competition after they placed last in their group suggests Saliba made the right choice to remain with Arsenal as they attempt to advance in the Europa League and guarantee a return to the Champions League the following year.
The French defender might reject a new contract and want to leave Arsenal for a team that frequently competes in the Champions League if the Gunners somehow managed to finish outside the top four or not win the Europa League.