---
title: "Arsenal: Pete O’Rourke reacts to William Saliba talks"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-pete-orourke-reacts-to-william-saliba-talks/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Arsenal News"
published: "2022-10-06T11:11:13Z"
modified: "2022-10-06T11:11:13Z"
---

# Arsenal: Pete O’Rourke reacts to William Saliba talks

**Journalist [Pete O’Rourke](https://twitter.com/SportsPeteO?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) says [Arsenal](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-fc-news/) opening contract talks with defender William Saliba could be a ‘big statement’.**

### The Lowdown: Saka agreement close

Mikel Arteta’s side have enjoyed a fine start to the season and currently sit [top](https://www.premierleague.com/tables) of the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) table with seven wins from a possible eight.

It looks as if the club want to continue that feel-good factor off the pitch, with [reports](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-fc-news/arsenal-gunners-have-agreement-in-principle-with-bukayo-saka/) in recent days claiming that Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle with Bukayo Saka over a new deal, which will see him become one of the top earners at the Emirates.

The Gunners have also held [preliminary talks](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-fc-saliba-new-contract-talks-b1029740.html) with Saliba over improved terms after an impressive start to the campaign that has seen his [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/william-saliba/marktwertverlauf/spieler/495666) valuation rise to a career-high £36m.

### The Latest: O’Rourke reacts

Talking to *The Transfer Tavern*, O’Rourke was asked for his thoughts on the update involving Saliba.

He said a new deal would be a ‘big statement’, describing the defender as a ‘revelation’ since returning from his loan spell with Marseille.

\[freshpress-poll id=”411661″\]

*“I think it’d be a big statement along with maybe a number of other players that Arsenal could tie down.*

*“Saliba has been a revelation this season since coming back from his loan in Marseille. He’s been a key part of Arsenal’s success so far this season and he’s building up a really good relationship at centre-back with Gabriel as well.”*

### The Verdict: Fingers crossed

It appears as if a new deal for Saka is extremely close to being finalised, and it would be another piece of exciting news if Saliba also extended his stay.

The 21-year-old is yet to miss a minute of [league action](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/william-saliba/leistungsdaten/spieler/495666) and has even contributed to [three](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/william-saliba/leistungsdaten/spieler/495666) goals in eight top-flight games. He has averaged the most clearances per game and has been dribbled past the least when it comes to the Arsenal squad, as per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/13/Show/England-Arsenal), so it’s safe to say the player has earned an improved deal.

Saliba’s [current contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/william-saliba/profil/spieler/495666) will have just 18 months left to run in January, so hopefully, a new deal will be sealed before the New Year.