Arsenal are confident of tying William Saliba down to a new long-term contract, despite interest from Real Madrid.
Saliba is content at Arsenal and not looking to leave before the World Cup, with the Gunners optimistic about the Frenchman putting pen to paper.
This is despite Real Madrid making contact with the player’s camp in recent weeks, according to journalist Sam C.
With that said, here are four players who may be impacted by the centre-back’s new contract.
Winners from William Saliba’s potential new Arsenal contract
Gabriel Magalhaes
The player who will most obviously benefit from this contract is Gabriel Magalhaes.
Saliba and Gabriel have formed an imperious partnership at the heart of Arsenal’s defence in recent seasons, and the Gunners need to make sure it remains intact throughout the duration of Mikel Arteta’s project.
Gabriel is the aggressor who looks to snap in front of the opposition and win the ball, while Saliba sweeps in behind when the Brazilian is breached.
The former Lille man will be delighted that his partner could be committing his future to the North London club, after signing his own new contract earlier this summer.
Ben White
Ben White is generally deployed right next to Saliba in Arsenal’s back four.
While Jurrien Timber is a rock solid defender who is excellent in one-on-ones, White can occasionally be exposed against quick and agile wingers.
However, he makes up for this with what he offers in the final third, although he’s only given the freedom to flaunt these skills in these areas because of Saliba.
The Frenchman’s ability to cover ground in the right-back spot and defend isolated in these wide areas allows White to commit more to making overlapping runs.
Losers from William Saliba’s potential new Arsenal contract
Cristhian Mosquera
Cristhian Mosquera signed for Arsenal for £13 million earlier this week, brought in to provide cover and competition for Saliba.
The Spaniard likely knows that his role next season will be somewhat sporadic, although he would certainly have held hopes of succeeding the France international in the long-term.
However, a potential new deal for Saliba would all but kill that dream, with the 24-year-old cementing himself as the long-term right-centre-back in Arteta’s team by committing his future.
The new deal gives Mosquera little hope of ever establishing himself as a regular at the Emirates.
Marli Salmon
Although just 15, Marli Salmon is extremely well thought of in the Hale End academy and has been tipped to make his way into the Arsenal first team in the coming years.
Making his senior debut in a friendly against AC Milan in pre-season, Salmon may have hoped for a Saliba exit in a few years, to pave the way for him to find a place in Arteta’s squad.
Similarly to Mosquera, a new contract for the ex-Nice loanee will simply give the starlet another player to compete with at the heart of Arsenal’s defence by the time he’s ready to feature regularly.
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