Arteta reveals that William 'proper Arsenal' Saliba never had doubts about staying
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Reading Time: 4min | Sun. 28.09.25. | 13:18
When you see the Frenchman's first childhood jersey, you'll understand why he decided to extend his deal with the Gunners
Three days ago, Arsenal finished a critical job. After the duo of youngsters, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, and his defensive "partner in crime" Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba became the fourth Gunners' player to extend his contract with the club in 2025.
Despite Real Madrid openly expressing interest in him, the Frenchman decided to stay at Emirates Stadium until 2030 and help the North London side pursue its first Premier League title since 2004.
Even though Los Blancos' jersey is a dream for numerous players, Mikel Arteta revealed that Saliba never had doubts about staying at Arsenal.
"I was quite direct with him. I sat down with William and asked him that question. He said: 'No I want to stay here and play for you, I'm very happy as always.' That's great to hear," the Spaniard disclosed via Sky Sports.
The strategist was quite aware of the La Liga side's willingness to sign the centre-back, but the conversation mentioned above assured him of the player's loyalty.
"When you hear that noise, you can understand people's expectations. People have feelings, they have been educated in their families, maybe dreaming about something one day. That's a really natural thing to have."
🗣️ Arteta - There are not many clubs that can get Saliba out of Arsenal@HaytersTVpic.twitter.com/xntg5MY2cd
— Doc (@karthikadhaigal) September 26, 2025
"I don't want to be specific. But it was obvious with the amount of the noise around certain clubs," Arteta stated.
In the end, the tactician didn't miss another chance to praise Saliba again, highlighting his partnership with his fellow defenders.
"He's been instrumental with everything we've done in the last few years. It's very impressive what he's done at his age, because sometimes we tend to forget that. His consistency, the way he's progressed, the way he's matured as well year after year."
Gabriel and Saliba have become arguably the best centre-back tandem in the world (©Michael Regan/Getty Images)"He's built a partnership with Gabi and the backline and the 'keeper that have given the best defensive record in the last three years," concluded Arteta.
However, even the Frenchman backed up his manager's story in a way, as he revealed that Thierry Henry's Arsenal shirt was the first he owned, and pinpointed it as his first memory of the London club.
"My first shirt. I went to the Decathlon with my mum and she bought me an Arsenal shirt. That's my first memory. I wore this shirt a lot. Thierry Henry's," Saliba said in an interview with Sky Sports' Joe Thomlinson.
🗣️ “What is your first memory of Arsenal?”
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) September 25, 2025
William Saliba: “My first shirt. My mum bought me an Henry shirt. I wore this shirt a lot! Where I’m from, not a lot [of Arsenal fans], they prefer Madrid, Barcelona, but me, I was a proper one.”
🎥 @SkySportsPL pic.twitter.com/DftonTuXP3
And although most of his peers and friends in the French capital supported the La Liga giants, Real Madrid or Barcelona, Saliba fell in love with Arsenal at first sight.
"In Paris, you have some fans of Arsenal, but in the [part of the] city I'm from - not really. They preferred Real Madrid or Barcelona, but me? I'm a proper one," he said.
Nevertheless, despite completing an essential task, the Gunners' management's job is far from over, as their next "target" for contract extension is the club's "Starboy" Bukayo Saka.
On the other hand, Saliba and his teammates are preparing for a tough EPL challenge. They are facing Newcastle at St. James' Park today at 18.30 and have a chance to reduce the gap to table-toppers Liverpool to only two points, as the Reds fell short yesterday against Crystal Palace.
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 6
Saturday
Brentford - Man. United 3-1 (2-1)
/Thiago 8, 20, Jensen 90+5 - Sesko 26/
Chelsea - Brighton 1-3 (1-0)
/Fernandez 24 - Welbeck 77, 90+10 De Cuyper 90+2/
Crystal Palace - Liverpool 2-1 (1-0)
/Sarr 9, Nketiah 90+7 - Chiesa 87/
Leeds - Bournemouth 2-2 (1-1)
/Rodon 37, Longstaff 54 - Semenyo 26, Kroupi 90+3/
Man. City - Burnley 5-1 (1-1)
/Esteve 12 (og), 65 (og), Nunes 61, Haaland 90, 90+3 - Anthony 38/
Nott.Forest - Sunderland 0-1 (0-1)
/Alderete 38/
Tottenham - Wolverhampton 1-1 (0-0)
/Palhinha 90+4 - Bueno 54/
Sunday
16.00: (2.35) Aston Villa (3.35) Fulham (3.30)
18.30: (3.60) Newcastle (3.45) Arsenal (2.20)
Monday
22.00: (1.80) Everton (3.60) West Ham (5.10)
***odds are subject to change***
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