William Saliba agrees new five-year Arsenal deal amid Real Madrid interest

By Rohit - Sep 25, 2025 05:39 PM
Last updated on Sep 25, 2025 05:41 PM

Arsenal fans received a huge boost this week as reports confirmed that French defender William Saliba has agreed a new five-year contract with the club. While the deal is yet to be officially signed, sources have revealed that Saliba has committed his future to the Gunners, ending speculation linking him with a move to European giants like Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old centre-back has emerged as one of the Premier League’s standout defenders in recent seasons, becoming a cornerstone of Mikel Arteta’s rebuild at Arsenal. His decision to stay highlights the club’s growing status and ambition under Arteta, as they continue to challenge for major honours.

A major blow to Real Madrid

Saliba’s decision is seen as a setback for Real Madrid, who were closely monitoring his situation. With the futures of David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger uncertain, the Spanish champions had identified Saliba as a prime candidate to reinforce their defensive ranks.

Sources indicated that Madrid even rated Saliba ahead of Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté as their preferred long-term option. However, Arsenal’s persistence and Saliba’s belief in Arteta’s project proved decisive. For Los Blancos, this development means they must turn their attention elsewhere in the transfer market.

Why Saliba chose Arsenal?

Saliba’s career trajectory with Arsenal has not been straightforward. After joining the club at 18, he went out on several loan spells at Saint-Étienne, Nice, and Marseille to gain experience and match fitness. It was during his time in France that he honed his defensive awareness and developed into a composed ball-playing centre-back.

Since returning and breaking into the Arsenal first team, Saliba has become indispensable. His partnership with Gabriel Magalhães at the heart of the defense has been crucial to Arsenal’s defensive solidity, while his composure on the ball has allowed Arteta’s side to play with confidence from the back.

By agreeing to a long-term deal, Saliba has effectively underlined his faith in Arsenal’s direction. With the Gunners regularly competing for the Premier League title and back in the Champions League, the timing seems perfect for the Frenchman to cement his legacy in North London.

Key numbers: Saliba’s impact at Arsenal

Saliba has already made 139 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions, a remarkable tally given his age and the initial hurdles in his career. His importance is not only reflected in appearances but also in the team’s performances.

During the 2022–23 Premier League season, Arsenal’s title challenge faltered when Saliba suffered an injury late in the campaign, highlighting just how integral he has become to the squad. In the current season, he has already played a pivotal role, with Arsenal sitting second in the table after five games.

Saliba’s consistency, aerial dominance, and positional awareness make him one of the best young defenders in Europe. His ability to neutralize elite forwards has elevated him into the conversation as one of the top centre-backs in world football.

The bigger picture – Saliba’s international future

Saliba’s decision to stay at Arsenal also has implications for his role in the French national team. Despite fierce competition for centre-back spots, his regular starts in the Premier League and the Champions League strengthen his case for a consistent place in Didier Deschamps’ squad.

France, who boast talents like Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konaté, and Jules Koundé, values Saliba’s unique blend of strength, tactical discipline, and calmness under pressure. Continued success at Arsenal will only enhance his international prospects ahead of major tournaments.

Conclusion

In the end, the answer to why William Saliba agreed to a new five-year Arsenal deal lies in trust, ambition, and timing. Arsenal have shown faith in his development, given him a central role in their rebuild, and provided a platform to win major honours. Saliba, in turn, has committed his prime years to the Gunners, snubbing Real Madrid and sending a powerful message about the club’s resurgence.

This agreement may well go down as one of the most important pieces of business Arsenal have conducted in recent years — one that ensures the spine of Arteta’s team remains intact as they chase glory at home and abroad.

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