Saliba can get dream Arsenal shirt number amid confidence over new contract

William Saliba could change his shirt number at Arsenal next season with the club confident about agreeing terms over a brand new contract for the defender

The next step for William Saliba, if he signs a new Arsenal contract, has already been revealed.

With the Gunners set to extend the deals of Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale, naturally, supporters are eager for an update on the France international who will have just 12 months remaining on his current contract this summer after an extension was triggered by the club earlier in the year.

Well, the good news is that football.london understands that there is confidence that an agreement with Saliba can be reached and this will also be music to the ears of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta who has recently stated his desire to keep hold of the central defender.

"Obviously Edu and the board are on top of every negotiation regarding new contracts and now we are doing everything we possibly can to do that in the right moment at the right time. The communication and the relationship is super. It is about timing, I think. Nothing else."

Of course, what is just as important as Saliba committing his future to the north London outfit is that he returns to full fitness as soon as possible having not been available for selection since limping off in the Europa League round of 16 defeat against Sporting CP on March 16.

And, as per Premier League rules, because he strutted out at Selhurst Park wearing No.12, he can not change his squad number until next season: 'While he remains with the Club a Player will retain his shirt number throughout the Season for which it was allocated,' a statement reads.

Significantly for Saliba, the Arsenal No.2 shirt became vacant on transfer deadline day last summer when Hector Bellerin sealed a permanent move to Barcelona and it remains up for grabs with Jakub Kiwior, Leandro Trossard and Jorginho choosing numbers 15, 19 and 20 respectively after joining the club in January.