Mikel Arteta and Edu proven right on key William Saliba decision as Arsenal star signs new deal

Arsenal transfer news: William Saliba has signed a new contract with Arsenal that will take his stay with the club up to 2027, marking another key signing within the squad

Comparisons to Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk came flying in, all while the side made their push for an unlikely Premier League title. It came as little coincidence that once he picked up a back injury against Sporting CP in the Europa League, the points dropped off and the goals conceded increased.

Several loans and a spell in the academy side weren't met kindly by the defender who told Pro Direct Soccer France in May last year: "I didn’t play, I played with the under-23s. I still went to the Premier League and it’s an experience that taught me a lot, and I came out of it bigger and much stronger.

"It was shocking at first [being dropped into the academy]. You say to yourself, ‘a £30million transfer all that, people were waiting for you to come’ and then you find yourself in the reserves against players your age. It shocked me at first, I didn’t even want to play. When they buy you for £30million and drop you in the reserves, it hurts."

His final loan at Marseille saw him win the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season award, previously won by the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni. There were also links with an exit from Arsenal, but Arteta ensured that the youngster would be handed game time on his return.

"I know that sometimes it’s difficult to explain or understand after the money that the club has spent trying to bring him in, to send him on loan. But a lot of things have happened to him," said the Spaniard on the loan spells at the time. "He’s a long-term player for us and we need to protect him as well. And giving him three or four games is not enough. He’s very happy to go there now. Hopefully, he can enjoy his football and be ready for us for next season."

That was exactly what has happened and the new deal represents a trust that has been built, with Saliba revealing in his announcement video that the loan spells were best for him. "I was born in north Paris, but I became a man in north London," the 22-year-old told the club media.

"I know it must have been strange for you. I show up as a kid you've never heard of and then I keep going away to different clubs before you get to see me play. But I know now this was the best plan for me, and last summer when I came back to the club and became a pivotal part of the team.

"Words cannot describe how I feel here, how you made me feel. Having the confidence of the boss and the staff, and then having your love and support made me feel 10 feet tall. North London was just a place on the map when I was growing up.

"Yes it was where my favourite team was, but I could never know how quickly it would feel like my home. So thank you Gooners, this is for you."