William Saliba 'wants to win everything' at Arsenal after signing new contract

The French defender signed with French club Saint-Étienne in 2019. Credit: Getty Images/Glyn Kirk

William Saliba has said he wants to win 'everything' with Arsenal after months of uncertainty over his future end by signing a lucrative new contract.

A new deal is thought to be The Saliba, which runs until summer 2027, costs around £200,000 a week. The centre-back thus becomes one of the highest paid players in Mikel Arteta's team after his amazing breakthrough last season.

The 22-year-old's previous contract was due to expire next summer, so a new deal has become increasingly urgent for Arsenal, who have been hard at work to tie up the young talent who sacked them for the title last year.

Since October, Arsenal have signed new contracts with Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka and Reiss Nelson. Negotiations are expected in the near future with captain Martin Odegaard, who is also facing a significant salary increase.

Saliba's importance to the team was highlighted last season when he missed the final few months of the campaign with a back injury. Without him, Arsenal could not sustain the title challenge and eventually lost the spot to Manchester City.

“Honestly, the decision was easy,” said Saliba about his new contract. “I had a really good season last season and unfortunately I didn't finish due to injury. So I want more.

“I want to play many more years for this amazing club. I want to win everything with this club. I think we can achieve everything. Of course, it's easy to say, but we have a coach, we have character, we have players, and every year the team gets stronger.”

“We have the best players with a good mentality. We also have good experience from last season. We know that the season is very long. So we are confident and we know that we can do something good at this club.”

Saliba spent part of his summer holidays in Marbella with the club's staff, continuing to work on his recovery from a difficult back problem. which ended his campaign in March.

«I'm so, so, so hungry because I haven't played for four months and I haven't helped my team,» he says. “Therefore, I hope that this season I will not have injuries. I want to be here all season with the team. Can't wait to get on the pitch.»

Meanwhile, Arsenal's longtime club doctor Gary O'Driscoll is set to leave the Emirates Stadium for Manchester United after 14 years in north London. O'Driscoll is a hugely popular figure at Arsenal and it's understandable that his move will bring him closer to his family.