Mikel Arteta declared he "hopes" William Saliba's contract negotiations progress well when quizzed on the future of the Arsenal star.
The Frenchman has made himself a regular in the starting XI after several loan spells away from the Emirates. His performances at the heart of defence have been key for the Gunners, who sit top of the Premier League, but they will be conscious of the contact situations surrounding some of their major names.
Saliba's contract will enter its final 12 months in the summer, with the 24-year-old pocketing around £40,000-a-week. His wages are set to skyrocket and Emirates chief Edu is leading talks with the player, leaving Arsenal hopeful of a solution sooner rather than later.
