William Saliba deal proof of Arsenal ‘power’ – Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta believes that William Saliba signing a new deal with Arsenal rather than leaving demonstrates “the power of this football club”.

The Gunners announced on Tuesday that the centre-back had put pen to paper on a new five-year contract, committing his long-term future to the north london outfit.

Saliba has long been linked with Real Madrid, who will be in the market for central defenders next summer when Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba’s contracts expire.

Los Blancos, however, will now have to move onto other defensive targets, such as Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace.

Mikel Arteta: William Saliba deal proof of Arsenal ‘power’

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Olympiacos, Arteta was asked if he was at all fearful of Saliba departing Arsenal in the near future before agreeing to an extension.

“More than the length of the contract, we love the player,” he responded. “You can understand that some players have a dream. Some of them want to play in the Premier League, some of them want to play for Arsenal and others want to play in a different country for a different club and you have to respect that.

“We have been really lucky but it also shows the power of this football club and how much people love it and want to come here. Even when players have the opportunity to go somewhere else, they want to come here.”

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It was never a guarantee that Saliba would become a regular start at Arsenal. Following his move from Saint-Etienne in 2019, he spent three years out on loan before breaking into the first team. Now he is an irreplaceable part of arguably the strongest backline in football right now.

“To get where you want, there is not a single pathway,” Arteta continued. “Within this path, there was loans. There was various reasons within these loans and there was a big injury as well that kept him out for a long period of time.

“There is a lot that has happened and a lot that William had to get through to get to the point where he is today and that is the beauty of it. Sometimes thing don’t start the way you expect it but sometimes it is the best thing that can happen to you to get where you want to get.”

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