Alan Shearer has named Arsenal defender William Saliba in his latest Premier League Team of the Week.
The 21-year-old has been an absolute revelation for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners this season.
Saliba joined Arsenal all the way back in 2019, but had to wait three years to make his club debut.
In that time, the Frenchman took in three loan spells, all in his home country.
For a while, Arsenal fans were questioning Arteta’s reluctance to make use of Saliba at the Emirates Stadium.
But it proved the right call as the youngster developed into the player he is today.
Saliba is now one of the first names on Arteta’s team sheet, starting every Premier League game for Arsenal this term.
His efforts have helped the Gunners go top of the league table and qualify for the Europa League knockouts.
And on Sunday, Saliba was once again a colossus at the back as Arsenal ran out 5-0 winners over Nottingham Forest.
The £40,000-a-week ace was one of three Gunners players in Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Week.
“Having a great season and put in another composed performance,” the Newcastle legend wrote on the official Premier League website.
Thomas Partey and Bukayo Saka also made it into Shearer’s XI.
‘Formal contract talks’
Saliba only has one year left on his Arsenal contract, with an option to extend for a further 12 months.
However, the Gunners are reportedly working to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium.
And according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, there has been a development on that front.
Ornstein took to Twitter to write: “Arsenal now in formal contract talks with William Saliba.
“Offer made to 21yo defender – no agreement yet but negotiations ongoing as #AFC seek to secure long-term future of France international.
“Current deal 2023 + option to extend by 1yr.”
