Arsenal News: Saliba Signs New Deal, Arteta Praises 'Phenomenal'

Mikel Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed delight over William Saliba's new long-term contract, saying, “Big news, very happy. Congratulations to Will, he thoroughly deserves his new contract.”

“Since joining us, William has grown so much, embraced responsibility, and created a strong connection with our...”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight over William Saliba's long-term contract extension, saying, “He's been phenomenal over the last few years, and we're very happy to keep the spine of the team with us.” Saliba, 24, has signed a new contract until 2030, committing his future to the club despite interest from Real Madrid.

The France defender has been instrumental in Arsenal's success, forming a solid partnership with Gabriel Magalhães at the heart of the defense. Arteta praised Saliba's growth and connection with the team, stating, “Since joining us, William has grown so much, embraced responsibility, and created a strong connection with our supporters and everyone at the club.” Saliba expressed his happiness with the new deal, saying he's proud to be part of Arsenal and looks forward to winning trophies under Arteta's guidance.

Arsenal is riding high on a 13-match winning streak in European home games, including 10 consecutive clean sheets. With captain Martin Odegaard fit to face Olympiacos, the Gunners are confident about securing a positive result in the intense match.

William Saliba's Contract Extension

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight over William Saliba's new contract extension, saying, “Big news, very happy. Congratulations to Will, he thoroughly deserves his new contract. He has been phenomenal for the last few years and I am very happy to keep the spine of the team with us.” This statement reflects Arteta's appreciation for Saliba's outstanding performance and commitment to the team.

Saliba has indeed been instrumental in Arsenal's success, forming a solid partnership with Gabriel Magalhães at the heart of the defense. His new five-year contract, which keeps him at the club until June 2030, is a testament to his hard work and dedication. The 24-year-old defender has come a long way since joining Arsenal in 2019, and his growth into one of the world's top defenders is a significant boost for the team.

🗞️ William Saliba's new contract
🗞️ Viktor Gyokere's Newcastle United performance
🗞️ Looking ahead to tomorrow night

Every word of Mikel Arteta's pre-Olympiacos press conference 👇

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 30, 2025

Arsenal's Attraction Proves Stronger Than Real Madrid's Interest

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal's appeal and project outweigh the allure of other top clubs, including Real Madrid, in securing William Saliba's long-term commitment. Despite reported interest from the Spanish giants, Saliba chose to extend his contract with Arsenal until 2030. Arteta sees this as a testament to the club's growing influence and ambition, stating that it shows the “power” of Arsenal as they work towards winning trophies.

“More than the length of the contract, we love the player. You can understand that some players have a dream. Some of them want to play in the Premier League, some of them want to play for Arsenal and others want to play in a different country for a different club, and you have to respect that.

“We have been really lucky but it also shows the power of this football club and how much people love it and want to come here. Even when players have the opportunity to go somewhere else, they want to come here.” 

This development highlights Arsenal's ability to attract and retain top talent, even in the face of interest from other major European clubs. Saliba's decision to stay reflects his confidence in Arteta's project and the team's potential for success. With this extension, Arsenal secures a key player for the future, bolstering their squad for the challenges ahead in both domestic and European competitions.

Pressure to Win the Champions League

The question of pressure to win the Champions League is a pertinent one, especially for top clubs like Arsenal. Given their recent investments and progress under Mikel Arteta, expectations are high. While there's no direct quote from Arteta on the pressure to win the Champions League, Benfica manager Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea has the potential to win it, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament.

“We have the same ambition which is to go game by game and try and be better than the opponent which is very difficult in this competition. We want to win as many games as we can.

“Tomorrow is going to be a really difficult one. We know how important the home form is going to be to reach where we want to arrive and tomorrow we have the opportunity to start well.”

Arsenal Riding High on Momentum After Newcastle Win

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is confident that his team's thrilling 2-1 win over Newcastle United will provide the momentum needed for their upcoming Champions League match against Olympiacos. The late winner showcased the team's resilience and determination, and Arteta believes this energy will carry over into their next fixture.

“There has been great energy. The moment you went in the dressing room everyone was celebrating because of the manner and the way it happened but you have to move on immediately and we know we have a very tough match against Olympiacos and we are ready for it.”

With key players like Martin Odegaard fit and ready, Arsenal is looking to build on their strong form and make a positive impact in the Champions League. The team's recent performances, including their unbeaten streak and impressive wins, have set the tone for a promising season.

Martin Odegaard's Fitness Update

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that captain Martin Odegaard returned from a shoulder injury as a late substitute in Sunday's Premier League clash with Newcastle United. Odegaard scored the winning goal indirectly, as his 96th-minute corner landed on Gabriel Magalhaes's head for a sensational late winner.

“He was very good (against Newcastle). He came on and immediately you could see the desire and responsibility to try and change the game. His decision-making and the way he approaches every ball - he made a difference to help us win the game.”

Always focused on the next task 👊 pic.twitter.com/uOx6TURm2A

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 30, 2025

Given his successful return, Odegaard is likely to start in Arsenal's upcoming Champions League match against Olympiacos. Arteta praised Odegaard's growth and connection with the team, emphasizing his importance to the squad. Predicted lineups suggest Odegaard will partner with Martin Zubimendi in central midfield, while Declan Rice might be benched.