Arsenal defender William Saliba has insisted the club are "very close" to winning a trophy and the team "can't stop working" as the Frenchman approaches the final two years of his contract at the Emirates.
Saliba has been one of Arsenal's most consistent players over the last two seasons after emerging as one of the Premier League top centre-backs.
The 23-year-old's consistent displays have helped Arsenal mount three straight Premier League title challenges, but the team have agonisingly fell short to Manchester City in the last two seasons before seeing Liverpool go 15 points clear in this campaign.
Arsenal's only realistic hope of winning silverware lies in the Champions League after beating PSV 7-1 in the first leg of their last-16 tie, but then could face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Saliba has spoken about Arsenal's ambitions while also appearing to commit his future to the club after saying he was keen to help the team end their five-year trophy drought.
"I think we are very close, we need to keep going,” Saliba said. "We can’t stop working. When you’re close and don’t win trophies it’s sad, with work we will make a big step and I am sure we will arrive there."
The France international added: "Everyone wants to win the Champions League, it’s a competition that’s hard to win, anything can happen."
Saliba, who is said to earn around just under £200,000-a-week at the Emirates, will see his current deal expire in at the end of the 2026-27 season.
Arsenal will soon be keen to tie Saliba down to fresh terms in fear of being placed in the same difficult position as Liverpool are currently in with Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk - who are all set to become free agents as things stand.
Saliba has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent months as they seek defensive cover following a number of injuries to their backline - including to Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.
Recent reports in Spain have suggested Madrid are monitoring Saliba's situation and could make a bid for him in 2026, when he has a year left on his contract.
piadistz
0
why Sali are you anti trophies... don't waste your time at arsenal, their vision is less
faaceknt
1
seliba I agree with u but u guy need to put more effort
returnofthesaith
1
Arsenal should invest in two outstanding strikers in the summer transfer season if they are interested in winning the EPL. Gabriel Jesus is good but in my opinion he's not good enough, this is the time to let him go. The competition to win the league next season will be very tough especially with poor form of Man City this season. Arsenal need to recruit well. Ademola Lookman to help take pressure off Saka and Victor Osimhen. Arsenal is becoming too predictable without a good strike
Chafoh
6
Saliba has to be happy at Arsenal because he believes in Arsenal‘s project under Mikel Arteta. Saliba is young with a great future ahead of him. It will be exciting for him to make history winning something big with Arsenal given they're so close there. However, should Arsenal fail to win the EPL in the next two seasons, Saliba would be right to want to go to a bigger club where he would be guaranteed of winning the title. For now, I can't imagine Saliba thinking of any other club other than the Arsenal project which he's a key member of.
VIKINGSB
2
Arsenal are very close to winning a trophy...
Vibdiklmnz
0
Miss leading, no wonder I never read this articles
UEFAchampions
1
Come to Real Madrid
Poyabkrty
0
better go real Madrid and stop waisting your time at arsenal and stop dreaming that canot come to reality. Madrid is waiting for you go and win trophy
you have all the answers he is mature enough to make his decision
dabbilnosu
2
better go real Madrid and stop waisting your time at arsenal and stop dreaming that canot come to reality. Madrid is waiting for you go and win trophy