Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal's position on William Saliba new contract
Mikel Arteta says that Arsenal are "doing everything we possibly can" to commit William Saliba to a new contract.
The 22-year-old has been in outstanding form for the Gunners after returning from a loan spell at Marseille last summer, but will have just a year remaining on his Emirates Stadium contract once the 2022/23 campaign concludes.
90min previously revealed that Arsenal hope to agree terms with Saliba and team-mate Bukayo Saka over new deals before the players go on holiday this summer, and that remains the case as the club look to reward their top stars.
Saliba has been sidelined with a back injury for a number of weeks, with Arsenal's grip on the Premier League title race loosening during his absence. Indeed, the Gunners went four games without a win recently - that spell including a 4-1 defeat to title challengers Manchester City - before bouncing back with a comfortable 3-1 win over London rivals Chelsea.
Whether or not Saliba is fit enough to return this season remains to be seen, but Arteta admitted in his latest pre-match press conference that although there's no progress to report on new contract talks, negotiations are ongoing and committing Saliba to the club long-term remains a priority.
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"We want to keep our best talent. Especially the players that deserve some recognition," the Spaniard said. "I think he has been incredible since he came back from his loan period and we want to reward him, that is for sure. We will find the right moment to do that.
"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."
Arsenal's bid to win a first Premier League title in 19 years takes them to high-flying Newcastle next, with the Magpies third in the table and in blistering form. Eddie Howe's side famously ended Arteta's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League last season, winning an end of season clash 2-0 at St James' Park to secure Tottenham's place in the top four.
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