The next step for William Saliba, after he verbally agreed to sign a new four-year contract at the Emirates Stadium, has already been revealed.
football.london understands Saliba has verbally agreed a new four-year contract to stay at the club until 2027 after lengthy discussions with the Gunners. Arsenal have already extended the deals of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale. Supporters were eager for an update on the France international who enters the final 12 months on his current contract this summer after an extension was triggered by the club earlier in the year.
Talks are set to begin with captain Martin Odegaard this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to tie down the core of his squad to long-term deals and protect Arsenal's future. News of Saliba's agreement will be music to the ears of the Gunners boss, who has already stated his desire to keep hold of the central defender.
"We want to keep our best talent," the Spaniard told reporters last month. "Especially the players that deserve some recognition. I think he has been incredible since he came back from his loan period and we want to reward him, that is for sure. We will find the right moment to do that.
"Obviously Edu and the board are on top of every negotiation regarding new contracts and now we are doing everything we possibly can to do that in the right moment at the right time. The communication and the relationship is super. It is about timing, I think. Nothing else."
Of course, what is just as important as Saliba committing his future to the north London outfit is that he returns to full fitness as soon as possible having not been available for selection since limping off in the Europa League round of 16 defeat against Sporting CP on March 16.
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With the current campaign now finished, the next time the 22-year-old makes an appearance for Arsenal he will do so donning what seems to be his favoured shirt number. Previously the defender posted an image on Instagram of his new Nike trainers which had 'WS2' imprinted on them and he also wore No.2 on his debut for the France national team last March when he replaced Raphael Varane in a friendly against Ivory Coast.
Upon reporting for pre-season training back in July, the Frenchman seemingly confirmed that he would be wearing the No.2 shirt for the 2022/23 campaign. However, this particular squad number technically was not available before Arsenal faced Crystal Palace in the Premier League opener on August 5.
And, as per Premier League rules, because he strutted out at Selhurst Park wearing No.12, he can not change his squad number until next season: 'While he remains with the Club a Player will retain his shirt number throughout the Season for which it was allocated,' a statement reads.
Significantly for Saliba, the Arsenal No.2 shirt became vacant on transfer deadline day last summer when Hector Bellerin sealed a permanent move to Barcelona and it remains up for grabs with Jakub Kiwior, Leandro Trossard and Jorginho choosing numbers 15, 19 and 20 respectively after joining the club in January.
So with no indication that the No.2 shirt will be handed to another player, a change could be on the cards for Saliba heading into the 2023/24 campaign.
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