Arsenal remain in talks with star defender over proposed new deal

Arsenal can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points when they host struggling Everton on Wednesday. 

The Toffees arrive at The Emirates having won just two of their last 12 Premier League matches, while The Gunners sit top of the Premier League standings.

Few would have predicted Arsenal’s remarkable campaign so far, with Mikel Arteta’s side having failed to qualify for the Champions League this term after an end of season collapse last year.

Much of their success has been as a result of their defensive stability, with Newcastle United the only side to have conceded fewer goals than the north London outfit so far this season.

Now, Arsenal are reportedly ready to offer one of their most important defenders a new deal.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, The Gunners are in talks with centre-back William Saliba over an extension to his current deal.

Saliba is in line for a new deal at The Emirates

The Frenchman initially signed for Arsenal back in 2019, joining from Saint-Etienne before returning to the French club on loan for the 2019/20 campaign.

He spent the second half of the following season with Ligue 1 side Nice having failed to establish himself at Arsenal, before joining Marseille for the entirety of last season.

Last summer, the defender returned to north London and has since started every single one of Arsenal’s 24 league games so far.

The defender netted his first goal for Arsenal during their 3-0 win over Bournemouth in August, and also scored against Brentford the following month.

The 21-year-old has built a strong partnership with fellow centre-back Gabriel, with the pair contributing to the second-best defensive record in the league this season.

Romano claims that Arsenal are now prioritising Saliba’s new deal after almost completing an extension for winger Bukayo Saka.

Aspects such as the salary and structure of the deal are said to be the subject of the ongoing discussions.