Arsenal Lock In Saliba: French Guardian Signs Long-Term Deal Through 2030
30 septembre 2025
Arsenal secure William Saliba on a long-term deal
Arsenal confirmed on Tuesday that French defender William Saliba has signed a new long-term contract, pledging his future to the club for the coming years.
According to reports, the deal runs through 2030, keeping the 24-year-old centre-back at the Emirates beyond the current cycle.
The 24-year-old, who has become a key part of Arsenal's defense, has logged 140 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions since arriving in July 2019.
Saliba began his professional career with Saint-Etienne, progressing through their academy and making his first-team debut in 2018-19, featuring 23 times.
After moving to Arsenal in 2019, he returned to Saint-Etienne on loan for the 2019-20 season, helping the club reach the Coupe de France final.
Back in London, he collected the Community Shield winner's medal following Arsenal's 2-1 win over Liverpool in August 2020.
A loan spell in Ligue 1 with Nice began in January 2021, followed by a season with Marseille in 2021-22, where he impressed and emerged as one of the league's top defensive talents.
Your paragraph continues the carreira narrative with accolades such as Young Player of the Year in Ligue 1 and a place in the Team of the Year for 2021-22.
Saliba made his competitive Arsenal debut in August 2022 against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, a 2-0 victory that set the tone for his role in the side.
Two weeks later he netted his first goal for Arsenal, a left-foot strike against Bournemouth, as the Gunners ran out 3-0 winners.
Since then he has established himself as Arsenal's defensive cornerstone, helping the team boast one of the league's strongest backlines in recent seasons and earning inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year for three consecutive campaigns.
His impact has also been recognised worldwide, with a 2024 FIFA FIFPro World XI nod.
Internationally, Saliba debuted for France in March 2022 and has since collected 28 caps.
He represented France at the 2022 World Cup and started every minute of their Euro 2024 campaign, guiding his side to the semi-finals and earning a spot in the Team of the Tournament.
Arsenal's Sporting Director Andrea Berta welcomed the news, praising Saliba's calmness, intelligence, and physical presence as they seek to push the project further.
Manager Mikel Arteta added that Saliba is loved by teammates and staff, and that his development and leadership have grown rapidly since joining the club.
Both men stressed that continued consistency and ambition remain central as the club pursues major trophies.
The club noted that the renewal will go through the standard regulatory checks.
Fans see the extension as a turning point for Arsenal, securing a defender who can anchor the side for years and potentially wear the captain's armband someday.
Analysts say the decision underlines Arsenal's strategy of keeping core talents rather than selling to bigger spenders, a stance that signals serious intent in both the Premier League and Europe.
With Saliba in the backline, Arsenal hope to balance attacking intent with dependable defensive structure while building a future around a potential defender leader.
At 24, the French international has a ceiling still to be explored, and the club clearly intends to explore it together.
And yes, if you’re worried about the defense, relax: Saliba’s backline is so calm that even the ball takes a deep breath before entering the box. And if a pass slips, blame the weather—he plays like rain on a window, always clear after the first splash.
