---
title: "Arsenal: Gunners keen to extend William Saliba’s contract"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-william-saliba-contract-news-latest-rumours-gunners-arteta/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Arsenal News"
published: "2022-08-20T18:42:56Z"
modified: "2022-08-20T18:42:56Z"
---

# Arsenal: Gunners keen to extend William Saliba’s contract

**[Arsenal](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-fc-news/) are keen to extend William Saliba’s contract and they hope he will commit his long-term future to the club, according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor.**

### **The Lowdown: Great start to the campaign**

After signing for the Gunners in [2019](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11770436/arsenal-sign-william-saliba-from-saint-etienne-on-long-term-deal) on a long-term deal, the 21-year-old only made his [senior debut](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/william-saliba/leistungsdaten/spieler/495666) at the Emirates this season, after three consecutive campaigns away on [loan.](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/william-saliba/profil/spieler/495666)

However, slotting into Mikel Arteta’s back-line for the [first three games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/william-saliba/leistungsdaten/spieler/495666/saison/2022/plus/1) of the [Premier League](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/william-saliba/leistungsdaten/spieler/495666/saison/2022/plus/1) season, the France international has gone on to impress.

Saliba was awarded [Man of the Match](https://theathletic.com/match/arsenal-crystal-palace-score/23HZiHlscGPs/) during Arsenal’s opening 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, getting off to a flying start and not slowing down since.

### **The Latest: Taylor’s claim**

In spite of his current contract running until the [summer of 2024](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/william-saliba/profil/spieler/495666), Taylor understands Arsenal are keen for Saliba to commit his long-term future to the club, after receiving transfer interest from abroad.

Speaking with [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88049578-arsenal-actively-keen-on-agreement-with-27m-star-at-the-emirates), the reliable journalist claimed:

“There’s been mixed reports on this but, from what I understand, Arsenal are actively keen to tie him down to a new contract.

“I think he’s only got two years left now and it’s clear there’s interest in him from elsewhere, not only Marseille – a club that he spent time on loan at – but Barcelona as well.”

\[freshpress-poll id=”376625″\]

### **The Verdict: Big future at the Emirates**

When analysing the Frenchman’s underlying stats, his potential to succeed at the Emirates for years to come is clear to see.

As per [FBRef,](https://fbref.com/en/players/972aeb2a/William-Saliba) compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year, the defender exceptionally ranks in the 99th percentile for passes attempted, in the 98th percentile for dribbles completed and in the 97th percentile for pass completion and progressive carries.

Arsenal teammate Granit Xhaka has been extremely complimentary of the 21-year-old since his debut earlier this month, having [said](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-granit-xhaka-william-saliba-leicester-own-goal-b1018906.html): “He has discipline and big character. He is not so loud but he is a proper leader in my eyes. You can see he is amazing.”

With the Gunners holding the [lowest average age](https://theathletic.com/3306212/2022/05/12/arsenal-average-age-premier-league/) in the Premier League, Saliba could end up playing a crucial part in the side’s long-term success, both domestically and continentally.