Ian Wright has urged Arsenal to tie William Saliba down to a new contract. The 21-year-old has played an integral role in the Gunners title charge this season despite a relatively uncertain future.
Saliba sees his deal at the Emirates Stadium expire at the end of next season and, with the defender eligible to open pre-contract talks in January, a number of top-flight European clubs have begun to monitor his situation.
With Paris-Saint Germain keeping tabs on the France international's development, football.london understands that talks are progressing well over a fresh contract in an attempt to secure Saliba's services for the long-term. And, while Arsenal are just as keen to agree a new deal with Saka, Wright has urged his former club to put 'all the eggs in the Frenchman's basket'.
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Speaking to Premier League Productions on Saturday, Wright suggested why the north Londoners must prioritise securing Saliba's signature first — even before Saka. He said: "For a defender, and I feel the same with central midfielders, they have to play regularly to get to know the position and especially with the age that he is.
"That’s why they sent him out [on loan] again. Arsenal fans were a little disappointed because we felt that we needed him. But you look at him, now, the way he has started the season and the way he plays. It’s fantastic.
"He’s a full international off the back of it," Wright said. "People talking about Saka, and Saka signing a new deal, and we know how much we need Saka. I don’t think there was any real problems with that happening because of his connection with the club. But I think all the eggs need to go in the Saliba basket. We got to make sure we keep this guy."
football.london understands that Saka has told Arsenal that he wants to stay. Speaking ahead of the trip to Leicester, Arteta said: "We want to keep our best players. The players we are developing."
Then, when asked what a new deal for Saka means for young players at the club, Arteta replied: "That's what we have to do, that's our responsibility. To keep our best players, our best people. Those that have the same aims and same purposes as the club."
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