William Saliba’s first match in the Premier League showed why extending his contract should become a priority in this summer transfer window. It is also a notion that Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher agrees with.
Saliba was pivotal in helping Arsenal to maintain their first clean sheet of the season at a tricky ground in Selhurst Park, a place where the Gunners had lost 3-0 in the previous campaign. His performance was so good that Jamie Carragher awarded the Frenchman with the man of the match award.
The 21-year-old showed composure which was reminiscent of a veteran defender. It is pivotal that the Gunners renew his contract to scare away any potential bidders.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta fields 'great team' as William Saliba makes Premier League Arsenal breakthrough
Saliba also seems on board with staying in north London as he wants to remain at the club at least until the end of the season. Speaking to Sky Sports after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, Saliba said: “It’s the first game, it’s important to win for the confidence. We start well this season.
"It helped me spending two years on loan in France because I’m young and need to play. But I’m back and I hope we make a good season.”
Saliba currently has two-years remaining on his current deal. However, Carragher’s praise for the Frenchman highlighted why it is pivotal Arsenal extend his contract, and Arteta maintains him in his long-term plans.
“I thought he was very good, he didn’t have too much to do in terms of the first half but there was one moment where Arsenal were pushing out a lot, Anderson kept putting balls over the top but there was one ball that went in behind Ben White but the way he dealt with it," Carragher said on Sky Sports when speaking about Saliba.
“Before you see him play, he looks the part, for such a young age, helping Ben White, Arsenal fans have been excited to see him. You can argue was it right to put him out but 21 playing centre-back in the Premier League - do you do that when you’re 19-20? It’s not easy. He looked the real deal.
"We looked at Zinchenko and Jesus before the game but he adds something. We always felt they were weak, Brentford they got bullied, here his physical stature will certainly help them in tough area games.”
Saliba had attracted attention from Marseille in the current summer transfer window but a deal failed to materialise. Saliba’s quality performance against Crystal Palace highlighted why it is imperative that the Gunners focus on extending his contract.
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