William Saliba set to sign new contract "very soon" in major boost for Mikel Arteta

Arsenal defender William Saliba is expected to sign a new contract "very soon", according to reports.

The 21-year-old has played a key role in Arsenal's phenomenal title charge in just his first season at the club.

He has helped run a tight ship alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in the heart of defence, leading the Gunners to a joint-best 12 clean sheets in the league.

However, Saliba sustained a back injury during during Thursday's Europa League round of 16 second leg against Sporting Lisbon, which saw Mikel Arteta's men eliminated in a penalty shootout.

He was forced to pull out of Didier Deschamps' France squad, spreading panic among Arsenal fans who will be desperate for the defender to return to the starting lineup.

But in a major boost for supporters, Saliba, whose contract is due to expire in 2024, looks set to extend his stay at the Emirates.

Saliba contract update

Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain were claimed to be keen on signing Saliba. However, journalist Chris Wheatley has since revealed Saliba is keen to stay in north London, with a deal set to be agreed "very soon".

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Wheatley said: "We're expecting him [Saliba] to sign a new long-term deal very soon.

"I think again, it's just a matter of time before that is completed. Saliba wants to stay at the club, so it's no real surprise that he's going to put pen to paper.

"I think at the moment he's on the treatment table recovering from injury. But he is someone that Mikel Arteta really values.

"It's funny because a lot of people, including myself, didn't really expect him to be fast tracked into the team in the way he was this season.

"But he was a star in pre-season and he came into the team and has now cemented that centre-back spot alongside Gabriel. So, great news again for Arsenal."

Saliba has established himself as one of Arsenal's brightest prospects since being integrated into the first team.

Discussing the Frenchman earlier this month, Arteta detailed what impressed him most in pre-season, labelling him "exceptional".

“The first two sessions we looked at him, we went ‘there’s huge potential here’,” said the Arsenal boss.

“The way he settled, the way he started to get his role around his team-mates and the way he played in pre-season.

"He took out every question mark that we could have with him and gave us all the reasons to play him. He’s been exceptional since that day," added Arteta.