William Saliba says he will “hopefully” follow his centre-back partner Gabriel in signing a new long-term contract at Arsenal.
The 24-year-old, who has two years remaining on his existing terms, is currently in talks with Arsenal over a renegotiation. Real Madrid are long-term admirers of the defender.
Speaking to reporters after Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Newcastle United in Singapore, Saliba said: “Yeah, hopefully. Of course, there is nothing now but there is a good conversation with my agent and the club. Let’s see.”
Arsenal have already agreed new contracts this summer with Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly, with an announcement pending on a new long-term deal for Ethan Nwaneri. Saliba and Bukayo Saka, whose deals both expire in 2027, will be next on the list.
If Arsenal could secure new contracts for Saka and Saliba, it would round out a strong summer transfer window. New sporting director Andrea Berta has already overseen six first-team signings, including centre-forward Viktor Gyokeres.
Gabriel extend his Arsenal deal until 2029 earlier this year (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Saliba believes those additions could help transform Arsenal from contenders into champions.
“Every year is different,” he suggested. “We have to learn from the last three seasons. Of course, we are lucky to have a chance to compete in the Premier League again and try to win. Our mindset is to win the Premier League and we will give everything from the first game. We have a lot of new players and they will hopefully help us to win this league.”
Gyokeres was presented to the Arsenal fans before the Newcastle friendly. For Saliba, who played against Sporting CP in last season’s Champions League, Gyokeres is already a familiar face.
“We know how good he is, how it’s scary to play against him,” said Saliba. “When you face a striker who scores goals, you have to be focused, but now he’s in our team and he will score for us, so that’s good.
“Of course, I’m so happy to have him in my club, and I’m sure that he will help us to win games and win trophies.”
Two 15-year-olds, Marli Salmon and Max Dowman, both featured in the victory against Newcastle. It was a driving run from Dowman that won the decisive penalty and Saliba took the chance to praise Arsenal’s teenagers.
“They are unbelievable,” Saliba said. “They are young, we mustn’t put pressure on them, but to play the way they play at 15 … I remember when I was 15, I was not playing with the first team — I was with the U-17s, so it’s good!
“We have to protect them and give them support, but of course they are really really good players, and I hope they will help us as soon as possible.”
Arsenal travel to Hong Kong on Tuesday to face Tottenham Hotspur at the Kai Takeover Stadium on Thursday July 31.
(Top photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)