Arsenal 'open talks' with 'unbelievable' defender as Arteta's priority revealed

Arsenal have opened talks with William Saliba over a new contract, according to a fresh report.

The league leaders can further build momentum in the title race when they visit Leicester this afternoon.

Indeed, Mikel Arteta’s side only returned to the Premier League summit after a topsy-turvy 4-2 away win at Aston Villa last week.

As Arsenal prepare to take on the Foxes, who are fresh from having humbled Tottenham Hotspur 4-1, Gooners have been given encouraging news about the contract situation of one of their star men, Saliba.

The centre-back has been a revelation alongside Gabriel Magalhães this term, and Arsenal are reportedly looking to extend the France international’s stay in north London.

Arsenal ‘open talks’ with Saliba

According to Football Insider, Arsenal have opened talks with Saliba over a bumper new deal.

Arteta is keen to secure the futures of several first-teamers and the club are reportedly “confident” they will tie Saliba down to a fresh contract.

Indeed, Gabriel Martinelli signed a new contract that runs until 2027 earlier this month while Bukayo Saka allegedly agreed to terms on an improved deal earlier this week, with an announcement expected imminently.

Saliba is now Arteta’s “next priority”, according to the publication.

The 21-year-old joined Arsenal from Saint-Etienne in a £27million deal in 2019 but was subsequently loaned back to Ligue 1, enjoying spells at Nice and Marseille.

However, having made his Arsenal debut against Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season, Saliba has been central to Arteta’s back-line.

The Frenchman has made 27 appearances across all competitions this term and has been a key cog in a stubborn defence that has conceded just 23 goals.

Saliba, who has missed just 14 minutes of Premier League football all season, was even described as “unbelievable” by team-mate Oleksandr Zinchenko earlier this term.

“He’s incredible,” Zinchenko told Arsenal.com. “It looks like this guy has got a lot of experience in his bag, but he’s still so young. Fingers crossed, we’ve got an unbelievable centre-back.

“He’s such a nice guy and he deserves this. A massive thanks to our fans as well, they did unbelievably well during all the games and they helped us a lot and of course, William deserves that song.

“If we’re going to get a clean sheet every single game, they’re going to sing every time!”