William Saliba has committed his future to Arsenal by signing a new five-year contract, extending his stay with the Gunners until 2030. The 24-year-old French international has become a cornerstone of Arsenal's defense since breaking into the first team in 2022. His consistency, intelligence, and physical presence have made him one of the best centre-backs in the world.

Saliba's decision to extend his contract is a major boost for Arsenal, especially considering reported interest from Real Madrid. He explained that he chose to stay at Arsenal because he feels at home at the club, has a good relationship with the coach and staff, and believes he can continue to develop and win trophies with the team. "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," Saliba said. "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."

Saliba also addressed the rumors linking him to Real Madrid, stating that he was not focused on other clubs and wanted to stay at Arsenal. "To be honest, I was not thinking about clubs from the outside," Saliba said. "I wanted to stay here for more years. I was not focused on the other clubs. I'm focused on my club." He further explained his decision by saying he wants to "give something back" to Arsenal, as he hasn't won anything significant with the club yet, besides the Community Shield. "I love this club, I couldn't leave this club without giving something back, I've won nothing. I want to stay here and win."

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, praised Saliba's character, commitment, and growth since joining the club. "William is loved by all the players and staff, and that speaks volumes about his character, commitment and attitude every day," Arteta said. "Since joining us, William has grown so much, embraced responsibility, and has created a strong connection with our supporters and everyone at the club." Arteta emphasized the club's ambition to win major trophies and believes Saliba will be crucial in achieving that goal. "We know there is still so much to come from him and will continue to work together to keep improving with the clear ambition of winning major trophies," Arteta added.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta also expressed his delight at Saliba's contract extension. "We're so happy that William has committed his future to us to be part of what we're building here," Berta said. "In the last three seasons, William has become an incredible defender whose composure, intelligence and physical presence make him one of the best in the world."

Saliba's importance to Arsenal is evident in his statistics and accolades. He has made 140 appearances for the club in all competitions. He has been instrumental in Arsenal boasting one of the best defensive records in the Premier League. Saliba has also been recognized individually, earning three consecutive PFA Team of the Year honors and a place in FIFA's Best Men's XI in 2024. On the international stage, he has collected 28 caps for France, featuring at the 2022 World Cup and UEFA Euro 2024, where he was named in the Team of the Tournament.

With Saliba's contract extension secured, Arsenal have solidified their defense and demonstrated their commitment to building a team capable of challenging for major trophies. Saliba's partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes is considered key to Arsenal's progress and their ambitions to win the Premier League title and compete in the Champions League.