Saliba’s loyalty lifts Arsenal as Arteta hails his defensive rock
William Saliba first arrived at Arsenal in 2019, few could have predicted the journey he would take to become the heartbeat of Mikel Arteta’s defence. After loans in France and questions about whether he’d ever make the grade in north London, the Frenchman has grown into one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League.
Now, as talk of a new long-term contract edges closer, Arteta has stepped forward to underline just how important Saliba has become to the club’s story.
“He’s been instrumental in everything we’ve done,” Arteta said this week. “William has shown incredible maturity, quality and leadership for someone so young. He gives us stability, and that has been crucial in the way we want to play.”
Those words reflect more than just tactical appreciation. Saliba’s presence has changed the atmosphere at Arsenal. His calmness on the ball, his physical presence, and his ability to read the game give his teammates confidence. Supporters see it too—every tackle and interception is greeted with the kind of roar that signals just how much he matters to the fans.
But it hasn’t been a straightforward road. For a long time, it looked like Saliba might never break through at Arsenal. Sent out on loan to Saint-Étienne, Nice and Marseille, he admitted at times that he doubted his future in north London. Yet those experiences hardened him. By the time he returned in 2022, he was ready to anchor Arteta’s defence.
That’s why his looming contract extension feels so significant. Big clubs—Real Madrid among them—were circling, ready to test Arsenal’s resolve. Yet Arteta revealed that Saliba made his feelings clear.
“When the speculation came, I asked him directly,” Arteta recalled. “He told me, ‘No, I want to stay here. I’m very happy.’ That was all I needed to hear.”
For Arsenal fans, those words will feel like a victory as big as any on the pitch. Too often in the past, the club has seen its best talents leave for brighter lights elsewhere. This time, though, Arsenal are building differently. They’re keeping hold of their stars—Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Ødegaard—and now Saliba.
It’s about more than contracts. It’s about belief. Belief that Arsenal are not just contenders again, but a team capable of staying at the top for years to come. And Saliba, at just 24, is at the centre of that vision.
His teammates feed off his calm presence, his manager trusts him completely, and his fans adore him. To think that just a few years ago his Arsenal future seemed in doubt makes this moment even sweeter.
For Arteta, the next step is clear: use Saliba’s commitment as a signal for others. “Players like William are rare,” he said. “We’re lucky to have him, and I’m delighted he wants to keep building this journey with us.”
In football, loyalty and ambition don’t always go hand in hand. But in Saliba’s case, Arsenal may just have found both.
