Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken positively about the Gunners' chances of tying William Saliba down to a new contract at the Emirates.
The 21-year-old went three years without making a competitive senior appearance for the North London club following his arrival from Saint-Etienne in 2019.
Saliba was loaned back to Les Verts, as well as Nice and Marseille, and he was named the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year for 2021-22 after helping the latter finish second last season.
Marseille fought tooth and nail to try to sign Saliba permanently, but he elected to stay at Arsenal and has been one of the Premier League's standout centre-backs so far this term.
The France international has two goals and one assist to boast from 15 top-flight matches, but he will soon enter the final 18 months of his contract with the Premier League leaders.
© Reuters
Arsenal are in discussions with Saliba's representatives, but a recent report claimed that his entourage were not satisfied with the wages that the Gunners had placed on the table, and there was yet to be a breakthrough in negotiations as a result.
However, speaking to reporters in a Friday press conference, Arteta affirmed that Saliba is "really happy" in North London and is optimistic that the club's board can thrash out an agreement with the defender's agents.
"We have a few of those that we are willing to extend the contract. Willy is one of them. I think he's shown in the months that he's been with us the quality and the personality he has to play at the level that we want," Arteta said. "We are trying to do that because we know he can be a really important part of our plans."
When asked if negotiations were moving along nicely, Arteta responded: "I hope so. That's more to Edu and the board to be discussing with him. What I know is that the player is really happy, the player wants to be here and that's the main thing."
Saliba will be expected to make his 16th consecutive Premier League start in Saturday's clash with Brighton & Hove Albion as the Gunners aim to maintain or extend their five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table.
© Reuters
As well as the France international, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka - who are also out of contract in 2024 - are in constant dialogue with the Gunners over fresh terms.
Arsenal are said to be the most relaxed about Martinelli's situation, as the 21-year-old's deal includes a two-year extension option and he has expressed his desire to stay at the club.
Meanwhile, Saka and Arteta are both hopeful that a resolution can be found over a new contract for the England international, who is thought to be on the radars of Liverpool and Manchester City.
Number one goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is thought to be in discussions over a new-and-improved contract too, and Arsenal have triggered a two-year option in the contract of Charlie Patino.
The highly-rated midfielder - currently on loan at Blackpool - is now contracted to Arsenal until 2025 on the same wages as he was before, and talks are expected to occur with Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly's agents soon.
Ben Knapton
