William Saliba has said he couldn’t follow Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid – because he is yet to win a major trophy with Arsenal.
The 24-year-old penned a five-year deal with the club on Tuesday after prolonged interest from Real.
His previous deal was set to expire in June 2027, and talks had been ongoing since May. As an integral figure for Mikel Arteta and recognised as one of the world’s best centre backs, the news of Saliba’s new contract is a big coup for the Gunners.
Alexander-Arnold joined the Spanish giants in May after winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League at Liverpool.
When asked why he wasn’t attracted by Real Madrid as Alexander-Arnold was, Saliba said: ‘He won some titles with Liverpool. Me, I didn’t win anything here except… only the Community Shield, so yeah.
’I’ve done nothing for this club to think about leaving. I want to stay here and win a lot of trophies.
William Saliba has revealed the reason why he snubbed Real Madrid in order to stay at Arsenal
The Frenchman could have followed in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined Los Blancos on a free transfer in the summer
Saliba is however determined to win a trophy at the Emirates before he departs
‘I love this club. I cannot leave this club without giving them something back. I‘ve won nothing. So, yeah, my first choice was to stay here and win everything first.’
The Frenchman joined Arsenal in July 2019 but after Arteta took over in December that year, he went on three loan spells and initially wasn’t in his plans.
On that uncertain period, he added: ‘He was straight to me. The first week he told me that for him I was not ready to play. He told me this.
‘I was training and I was playing with the Under 21s. At the end of December, he told me that it was better for me to go on loan rather than stay here and not play. I was angry because I needed to play.
‘He sent me on loan and I was in touch with (then sporting director) Edu when he was here. He was talking with my agent. After the first loan, he said we needed one more loan.
‘I didn’t give up and now I’m here in front of you playing for Arsenal.’
