Saliba eyes trophies with Arsenal after signing contract extension

LONDON (AP) — William Saliba became the latest Arsenal player to sign a long-term contract extension and set his sights Tuesday on ending the team’s long wait for a major trophy.

The France defender’s deal was due to expire in 2027 and he has reportedly extended his stay until 2030.

The 24-year-old Saliba, who moved to Arsenal from Saint-Etienne in July 2019, joined fellow center back Gabriel Magalhaes and highly rated youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly in signing new contracts this year.

They are trying to help the Gunners win their first major trophy since 2020, after runner-up finishes in the Premier League in each of the past three campaigns and a run to the Champions League semifinals last season.

“I’m so happy to sign the new deal with my club. I have to keep going like this to try and win some trophies,” said Saliba, speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League match at home against Greek champion Olympiakos on Wednesday.

“The only thing we miss here is to win trophies. We have a good squad, good staff and a good coach so we are close to achieving things.”

Saliba, who was linked with a move to Real Madrid, said: “I was not focused on clubs from outside, just here. I want to stay here and I am focused on my club.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the team’s key players are committing their futures to the club because they can fulfill their ambitions to win trophies in north London.

“He (Saliba) fully deserves his new contract, he has been phenomenal over the last few years and we are very happy to keep the spine of the team with us,” Arteta said.

“First of all it shows that they belong to this club and that they share the same ambition as the club and want to continue their careers here.”

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