Huge boost for Arsenal as star hints at signing new deal
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Arsenal - Brentford Community Stadium, London, Britain - September 18, 2022 Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring their second goal with Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League on Sunday, with a victory over Brentford enough to see them leapfrog Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s side ran out 3-0 winners over The Bees courtesy of goals from William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira, and The Gunners have now won six of their seven league games so far this term.
There could be more good news on the horizon for Arteta, as Saliba has hinted that he could sign a contract extension at the club if he was offered a new deal.
In an interview with Sky Sports, the Frenchman stated that he is happy at The Emirates, indicating that he may be willing to pen a new contract in the near future.
When asked if he felt like the club was his home, he replied ‘for sure’.
“I’m at home here. I like London, I like the club, I like everything. I feel at home here,” he added.
Saliba scored his second Arsenal goal against Brentford on Sunday
Saliba originally signed for Arsenal back in 2019, joining from Saint-Etienne for a fee of £27 million, but he remained at the French side for the 2019/20 campaign.
He then joined Nice on loan for a season, and spent the last campaign on loan at Marseille, during which time he established himself as a regular for the club, making 52 appearances across all competitions.
He then returned to London over the summer and, after making his debut against Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season, the France international has now started all seven of Arsenal’s league matches.
Saliba, 21, has been in superb form and has even pushed Ben White, who was a regular alongside Gabriel at centre-back last season, out to right-back.
The defender’s current deal is due to expire in the summer of 2024, and 90min have recently reported that Arsenal have already held discussions with the player over a possible extension.
Saliba’s goal against Brentford on Sunday was his second of the season having already netted against Bournemouth last month.
Only four teams have conceded fewer than the seven goals that Arsenal have let in so far this season, and Saliba has played a crucial role in his side’s defensive stability.
Having made his senior debut for France in March this year, Saliba has now been capped five times and will fancy his chances of being included in Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad if his fine form continues.