Arsenal’s positive start to the new season has received a further boost following confirmation that William Saliba has signed a new long-term contract.
The France international’s contract had been due to run until 2027 and he has now extended his stay up to 2030, with the Gunners moving to tie him to the club amid interest from Real Madrid.
Under Mikel Arteta’s tutelage, Saliba has cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s best defenders and he is keen to improve still further under the Spaniard.
‘When you sign, you dream of playing many games, but it comes so quickly,’ he said. ‘Before I signed, I didn’t realise that I would play a lot of games like this so it’s good and I want to play more.
‘When I signed, I went back to Saint-Etienne, and I came back and became a starter so a lot of things have happened, but I’m so proud of my journey. I never gave up, even in the tough moments.
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‘Of course, I wanted to play straight away, but I didn’t expect that it would be as good as it was. I played well, we almost won the league in the first season, and we almost won the league the season after as well.
‘I’m happy now, but not 100% happy because we have to do more. We have to win titles, because it’s what we want, what the club wants.
‘The boss is one of the best coaches in the world. He has helped me a lot, him and his staff, so I’m so happy to have them as a coach. I’m 24 now, and I think I haven’t reached my peak.
‘I have a lot of things to improve, a lot of things to give to this team, and I know that the coach and the staff will help me to become the best, or one of the best, defenders in the world and win trophies.’
Expanding on his decision to commit the peak years of his career to Arsenal, he added: ‘I feel proud of myself because I first signed in 2019, and now in 2025, I’m still here to extend my contract. I’m so happy.
‘I feel at home. We have a good team, we have a good squad, we have good staff. The coach is perfect for me, so it’s the best place to be.
‘I enjoy every day when I have the chance to wear this shirt. I try to give everything, and now I’ll give even more to this club and to the fans.’
Saliba’s Arsenal career has been firmly in the ascent ever since making his long-awaited debut three years ago, but his early days at the club were far from straightforward.
After joining as a 17-year-old he was immediately loaned back to Saint-Etienne before being shipped out again to Nice and Marseille before he was deemed ready to deal with the rigours of Premier League football.
Despite an unsettling start, Saliba has always maintained a strong bond with the club’s fans and his aiming to repay their constant faith.
He said: ‘I have a special connection with them, because even when I was on loan, when I was not playing here, they would send me messages to say: ‘one day, you will play for this club, you don’t have to give up.’ I will never forget this.
‘Thank you for everything, thank you for the support. We know what they are waiting for, and we’ll give our best, even more than the previous season, to give them what they want.’