William Saliba delivers his final verdict regarding Real Madrid

Coach Arteta reveals that Saliba never intended to leave Arsenal for Real Madrid.

Mikel Arteta recently shared notable insights about William Saliba’s future, the key central defender who is about to sign a new 5-year contract with Arsenal. The Spanish coach confirmed that Saliba never planned to join Real Madrid despite the La Liga giant’s interest over the past year.

Arteta spoke about this on HaytersTV: “When you hear rumors like that, it’s understandable that players might have expectations or even childhood dreams of playing for a big club. That’s completely natural.

But when I asked him directly, William was very clear: ‘No, I want to stay here. I want to play for you and I am very happy.’ Hearing that was truly a great sign.”

With Real Madrid reportedly monitoring Saliba closely, many speculated that the 24-year-old might leave Emirates to seek a new challenge. However, Arteta said he had a frank conversation with his player, and Saliba’s response completely reassured him.

The Arsenal manager also emphasized that he didn’t need to name specific clubs because the interest in Saliba was already obvious. “There aren’t many clubs capable of convincing William to leave Arsenal. What matters is that he’s always been transparent and honest from the start,” Arteta added.

Saliba’s decision to commit long-term is seen as a crucial step in Arsenal’s strategy to retain their core players. In recent months, the Gunners have successfully persuaded several others like Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel, and Myles Lewis-Skelly to pledge their futures.

Arteta believes this consensus clearly reflects the players’ confidence in the club. “Whenever I discuss the future with players, the first thing they say is they want to stay. They want to win with Arsenal, to grow in this environment. That’s not always guaranteed, and we don’t take it for granted,” he stressed.

The Spanish coach thinks Arsenal is doing an excellent job creating an environment where everyone feels happy and valued. This atmosphere helps the club not only keep star players but also become a desirable destination.

With Saliba about to sign a new deal, Arsenal can feel confident about their defensive foundation for years to come. This also strongly signals that the North London club is returning to a status capable of competing for major trophies.