Saliba says he is desperate to win a trophy

WITH agreements reached to tie down Gabriel Martinelli and Buyako Saka, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and the cluh’s leadership are showing signs that they will not allow themselves to fall foul of contract negotiations.

In the past, the Gunners have allowed star names to get close to the end of their deals and lose control of what happens next. Once inside the last 12 months, clubs face tough calls on whether to sell players at potentially the highest price they will ever get or convince them to put pen to paper on an extension before the time runs out and they can leave on a free.

That’s why Gunners fans are desperate for something to be nailed down for French central defender William Saliba, who has proved to be a consistent and reliable performer since claiming his first team spot at the start of the season.

Back from a season on loan at Marseille, it had not always been clear whether he was in Arteta’s plans but now Arsenal sometimes look like they would be lost without the pairing he has formed with Gabriel Magalhães in defence.

Arsenal are displaying indicators that they agree with that assessment, and devoted a whole article to Saliba on its website in which he professed his delight for playing for the club.

And the well-connected football journalist Fabrizio Romano, a specialist on contracts and transfer, has tweeted that he believes Saliba wants to stay and that talks between the club and player were the next priority after Saka agreed an improved deal.

“I want to win everything possible here, and to put the club back on the very top. I want to win every title,” Saliba himself told the cluh in that website interview.

“We all want to win the Premier League, and I’ve never won a trophy so that’s why I work every day, but we know we have 15 games left and it’s not going to be easy. We have to focus and never give up because the Premier League is hard.”