How Arsenal losing William Saliba to Real Madrid could reignite a worrying trend at the Emirates Stadium

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Arsenal have improved in recent years at keeping their best players under contract and at the club in order to improve performances on the pitch.

Mikel Arteta has shaped an Arsenal team that looks set up to challenge for the major honours for season to come with a young, talented squad.

Key players such as Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are on long-term contracts and Arsenal are looking to sign Benjamin Sesko in the summer to further bolster their attacking options.

However, star defender William Saliba is interested in a move to Real Madrid and is particularly keen to join up with Kylian Mbappe. Should Arsenal sell their French asset, it could spark a worrying trend for the club.

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William Saliba departure could spark more Arsenal stars leaving the club

Whilst Arsenal are now in a better financial situation because the Emirates Stadium is now paid off, the club have been known to sell their prized assets in the past.

Robin Van Persie was allowed to leave the club for rivals Manchester United, Samir Nasri was sold to Man City at the peak of his powers and Cesc Fabregas was permitted to join his boyhood club Barcelona.

Whilst nothing is yet concrete with Saliba’s move to Real Madrid, should Arsenal depart with the defender in the summer, it would send the wrong message out to the rest of the Arsenal squad.

The Gunners are trying to build a team that can consistently challenge for Premier League titles and Champions League trophies but will not be able to do that by selling their best players.

Other key players may look at Saliba’s transfer and question the club’s mentality and ambition, alongside their own future in North London. Arsenal must learn from past mistakes and stand firm amid any interest.

Saliba would be Arsenal’s record sale

Arsenal would hold out for a record fee for Saliba from Real Madrid, with some suggestions that the £100m mark would have to be hit for the Gunners to consider a deal.

Selling players has never been a strong point for Arsenal, many of their sales have been underwhelming in terms of value in recent years.

Whilst £100m would give Arsenal a healthy budget to go out and improve the squad, Arsenal fans will be hoping that already is the case given the club’s lack of spending in the recent January window.

Selling Saliba would be a huge blow to the project of becoming a dominant force in world football, the tools are nearly there for the Gunners, they can’t afford to let any slip out now.