Arsenal defender William Saliba has been a huge success in the Premier League this season but there are growing fears over his long term future in north London as the Gunners stall on extending his current deal.
The Frenchman has entered the final 18 months of the five-year contract he signed in 2019 but after impressing so much during the first seven games of the season, it has become essential that a new deal is sorted between the two parties.
But a lack of clarity and urgency over the situation has raised plenty of cause for concern for Arsenal fans, while club legend Nigel Winterburn is fearing the worst and has urged Saliba to commit his future to the club.
He told FreeSuperTips : “It looked like he was going to leave in the summer, but he’s been very impressive since he came into the team. He can read the game very well, he’s quick and looks like a good defender, so I think it’s important that Arsenal do not let that contract get into next season.
“If they do, then they’ll end up putting themselves in a whole lot of trouble. I don’t think it’s difficult because you ask the player if he wants to stay, if they do then you sort out the contract. If you’re enjoying your football and enjoy where you are, then sort the contract out and get it done as quickly as possible.
“For someone young like Saliba, he’s getting a lot of game time, he’s enjoying his football so don’t let that contract run down and cause issues down the line. Money isn’t everything, enjoying what you do is really important, and Saliba is currently a big part of this Arsenal team so I wouldn’t expect any problems.”
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As Winterburn mentions, Saliba came close to leaving in the summer following an outstanding campaign on loan at Marseille. The centre back featured 52 times across all competitions, won the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award and was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.
But upon his return to Arsenal this season, Saliba had doubts over his playing time and was prepared to leave the club in order to become a first team regular elsewhere, before Arteta promised him an opportunity to impress - and has never looked back since.
Yet his performances this campaign have added to his stock in the market and there will be plenty of suitors next summer looking to snap him up as he enters the final 12 months of his contract, should he not agree on a new deal beforehand. And that is exactly what Arsenal must avoid.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports , Saliba said: "I'm at home here. I like London, I like the club, I like everything. I feel at home here”, following reports that the Gunners had finally entered talks with the player over signing a new contract.
And further reassurance for Arsenal fans has also been provided by former stiker Kevin Campbell, who said that a new contract is going to be “sorted”. He told Football Insider : “There is a new contract that is going to be sorted out. The quicker Arsenal fans see that the better. He is phenomenal.”
Saliba featured off the bench for France on Thursday night during their 2-0 victory over Austria in their UEFA Nations League group, and is fully expected to be in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the World Cup. As a result, it makes it even more important that Arsenal tie him down as soon as possible, should the 21-year-old impress in Qatar.
