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Saliba Commits To Arsenal With New Long-Term Contract
French defender William Saliba has inked a new four-year deal with Arsenal, solidifying his position as a key player under manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal’s William Saliba has extended his stay at the club, signing a fresh four-year contract that secures his future until 2027.
The highly regarded French defender, acquired from Saint-Etienne in 2019, has emerged as a vital component of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team.
This significant contract extension adds to the Gunners’ recent accomplishments, as they’ve also secured new deals for Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Aaron Ramsdale, showcasing their commitment to the project.
Furthermore, Arsenal’s summer transfer activities have been notable, with high-profile arrivals such as Kai Havertz and potential signings like Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber.
In a heartfelt video message, Saliba expressed his gratitude to the supporters and highlighted the significance of his return to the club.
Investing In Future Success: Arsenal’s Squad Revamp
With the intention of closing the gap and regaining their former glory, Arsenal has spared no expense in bolstering their squad this summer.
The acquisition of Kai Havertz from Chelsea for a staggering £65 million demonstrates their determination to secure top talent. However, the Gunners’ ambitions don’t end there, as they have their sights set on securing the services of Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber, with a combined investment of £143.5 million.
These substantial transfers reflect the club’s commitment to assembling a formidable team capable of competing at the highest level.
Saliba’s Contract Renewal: A Testament To His Potential
William Saliba’s contract renewal with Arsenal serves as a testament to his exceptional abilities and immense potential at the tender age of 22.
The young Frenchman has already showcased his worth during the previous season, establishing himself as an indispensable member of the squad.
His technical skills, defensive prowess, and composure on the pitch have caught the eye of manager Mikel Arteta, who firmly believes in Saliba’s ability to develop further and make a significant impact in the years to come.
The contract extension signifies the club’s commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering their growth within the Arsenal framework.
Saliba’s Emotional Connection: From North Paris To North London
In a touching video message posted on Arsenal’s official Twitter account, William Saliba expressed his deep appreciation for the fans and shared his personal journey.
Born in north Paris, Saliba acknowledged the initial unfamiliarity supporters had towards him, as he embarked on loan spells at different clubs before making his presence felt in an Arsenal shirt. However, Saliba emphasized that this unconventional path was the best route for his development.
Returning to the club last summer marked a turning point in his career, as he quickly established himself as an integral part of the team.
Saliba conveyed his gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support, which has fueled his confidence and motivation to perform at his best.
The young defender concluded by affirming his commitment to the club and his desire to continue the journey together with the passionate Arsenal faithful.
Manager’s Perspective: Arteta’s Praise And Expectations
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s astute manager, expressed his delight at securing William Saliba’s long-term commitment.
Arteta emphasized the significance of the young defender’s contributions to the squad in the previous season, highlighting his exceptional abilities despite his tender age. Recognizing Saliba’s exciting potential, Arteta eagerly anticipates further development and growth in the coming years.
The manager’s faith in Saliba’s talent, combined with the unwavering support from the coaching staff, serves as a strong foundation for the Frenchman’s continued progress as a vital asset to Arsenal.
Edu’s Vision: Building A Bright Future
Edu, Arsenal’s sporting director, conveyed his immense satisfaction with William Saliba’s contract renewal, underlining the club’s commitment to nurturing young talents and fostering long-term success.
The renewal solidifies Saliba’s place in Arsenal’s vision for the future, ensuring his continued presence in the squad for many years to come.
Edu expressed confidence in Saliba’s potential to achieve greatness alongside the Gunners and emphasized the fans’ shared enthusiasm for the defender’s continued journey with the club.
This long-term commitment to talented individuals forms an integral part of Arsenal’s strategy to evolve, progress, and ultimately secure success on both domestic and international stages.
In conclusion, William Saliba’s new four-year contract with Arsenal marks a significant milestone in the young defender’s career.
The club’s commitment to securing his services reflects their belief in his immense potential and the pivotal role he plays in their future plans.
With Saliba’s unwavering dedication and the continued support of the fans, Arsenal looks set to make strides towards reclaiming their status as a dominant force in football.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the leaders need to get back to doing the basics right after a 3-2 defeat at Fulham on Sunday ended a 26-game unbeaten Premier League run.
The Reds remain well on course for a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title as they lead Arsenal by 11 points with seven games to go.
But defeat at Craven Cottage was their third in four games after exiting the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain and losing the League Cup final to Newcastle.
Fulham struck three times in 14 first-half minutes through Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz thanks to series of defensive errors after Alexis Mac Allister’s stunning strike put Liverpool in front.
Luis Diaz pulled a goal back as a spirited second-half display from Liverpool fell short of a comeback.
“It wasn’t 45 minutes of disaster but the errors we made weren’t something that we’re used to,” Slot said. “It’s disappointed us all, the players and the fans.
“In the second half we made chances and could have made up for it, but we lacked time. In the last 25 minutes it was clear that we could score a third.”
Liverpool’s exit from Europe does at least mean they have a full week to prepare for each of their remaining Premier League games.
After showing signs of fatigue in recent weeks, Slot is hoping a quieter schedule will help get his side back to the levels they showed earlier in the season.
“We have a whole week until West Ham (on April 13). Everyone needs to be aware that the only way we win is through a constant effort and 90 minutes of hard work,” he added.
Even the normally unflappable Virgil van Dijk was at fault in the Liverpool defence as he was outmuscled by Muniz for Fulham’s third goal.
“A very poor first half in terms of the goals we conceded,” said the Liverpool captain.
“It was so unnecessary and then you’re fighting a very tough battle. A very poor half as a collective.
“We tried everything in the second half but when you ship three goals in the first half it’s very difficult.”
Victory is a major boost to Fulham’s ambitions of European football next season.
The Cottagers move up to eighth and within striking distance of the top five, which will almost certainly secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
“It was a great three points for us, I believe we deserved it,” manager Marco Silva said.
“Our first half was at a good level and after a good goal from Mac Allister, we had to be strong, be clever, make some tactical fouls and the reaction was great.”
Southampton FC were relegated on Sunday after a 2-0 defeat by Tottenham, becoming the first team in Premier League history to suffer the earliest relegation.
Brennan Johnson struck twice in the first half, and Mateus Fernandes’s late reply was too late to stop bottom-of-the-table Southampton from crashing back to the Championship.
Southampton were relegated with seven matches still to play.
Ipswich and Derby were relegated with six games left in 1994-95 and 2007-08 respectively.
Ivan Juric’s side are also still one shy of matching Derby’s 2007-08 record low Premier League total points of 11.
Juric, whose team are without a win in their last seven league matches, admitted this week that avoiding the record low points tally is Southampton’s only target for the rest of their dismal season.
Southampton were pushed to the brink of relegation when fourth-bottom Wolves came from behind to beat Ipswich 2-1 on Saturday, leaving Saints 22 points from safety.
Their slide down to the second tier was confirmed 315 days after they clinched promotion by beating Leeds in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Russell Martin was architect of Southampton’s success in the Championship with an attacking approach, but his insistence on sticking to those tactics backfired badly in the top flight.
Martin was sacked in December after a 5-0 defeat against Tottenham left Southampton bottom of the table with just five points from 16 games.
Former Roma boss Juric was hired to replace Martin on an 18-month contract, but the Croatian was unable to save Southampton from going down with a whimper.
Aston Villa climbed into the Premier League’s top six as early goals from Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen secured a 2-1 win over third-placed Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
A seventh consecutive victory for Unai Emery’s men in all competitions sets up Villa perfectly for Wednesday’s trip to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Villa’s hot streak has also brought them well into the race for Champions League football next season.
A top-five Premier League finish will almost certainly be enough to qualify thanks to the strong performance of English sides in European competition this season.
Villa sit below fifth-placed Manchester City only on goal difference and moved to within one point of Chelsea in fourth.
“We enjoy competing in the Champions League and the FA Cup, but the Premier League is the most important because it is through the league that we can reach our objective for the next season,” said Emery.
Forest’s cushion over Villa is reduced to six points, leaving Nuno Espirito Santo’s side plenty of work to do in their final seven games to secure a return to European football’s elite level for the first time since they were holders in 1980.
Emery had one eye on the trip to his former club in midweek as he made eight changes from Wednesday’s impressive 3-0 win at Brighton.
The Spaniard’s decision to inject fresh legs was justified in a flying start as the home side led 2-0 inside 15 minutes.
Rogers’ deft touch to control Youri Tielemans’ ball over the top teed up the England international to stroke home his 13th goal of a breakout season.
Malen has been overshadowed by the impact made by fellow January arrivals Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio.
However, the Dutch international now has two goals in two games after turning in Ian Maatsen’s enticing low delivery.
Forest looked fatigued in holding off Manchester United on Tuesday just three days after being forced to extra-time and penalties by Brighton to book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Villa and Forest could meet again in the FA Cup final should they win their last-four ties later this month.
The visitors took 45 minutes to find their feet but came out a different side in the second half.
“Normally we always start really well and the big lesson was that we can’t start a game as bad as we did today,” said Nuno.
The Forest boss’ decision to sacrifice the in-form Anthony Elanga for Jota Silva at the break proved an inspired change.
Villa failed to heed the Forest warnings as Neco Williams and Callum Hudson-Odoi fired just wide at the start of the second period.
Silva spun on to Williams’ cross on 56 minutes to halve the arrears.
Elliott Anderson was then inches away from an equaliser as the former Newcastle midfielder’s effort swerved off target.
Emery turned to his talented bench to try and turn the tide as Rashford, Jacob Ramsey and Boubacar Kamara came on just after the hour mark.
But it was Rogers who had the biggest chance to make the three points safe when he failed to beat Matz Sels one-on-one.
That reprieve gave Forest life and they could have snatched a point when Williams fired across goal before Murillo’s long-range effort hit the bar in stoppage time.
AFP