Arsenal could give "long-term contract" to "outrageous" gem, he's got "huge potential" - opinion

Arsenal could be in line to reward William Saliba for his impressive start to the new season by handing him a bumper new deal.

That’s according to journalist Paul Brown – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – who revealed that sporting director Edu Gaspar could be in line to hand the 21-year-old a new contract to tie the Frenchman to the club for the foreseeable future, such has been his early impact at the Emirates so far this season.

He stated: “To put him at centre-back and move Ben White to right back was quite a big vote of confidence so I think we can assume that Arsenal do see a big future for Saliba and they would like him to sign a long-term contract.”

The former Saint-Etienne man – who signed for the Gunners on a £27m deal back in 2019 – currently has just two years remaining on his existing deal, ensuring that an extension will be high on the priority list for the north London outfit.

The new Premier League season may still be in its infancy, yet the early signs are that young Saliba could have a major role to play under manager Mikel Arteta, having been finally handed the first-team chance after three years out in the wilderness.

The towering centre-back had spent the past three seasons out on loan in Ligue 1, notably winning the division’s Young Player of the Year award last term while at Marseille, with Gunners supporters having been left somewhat perplexed over his lack of action back in England.

The £27m-rated man is certainly making up for lost time, however, having looked imperious in his opening two competitive outings for the club thus far, notably being dubbed “one hell of a centre-back” by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville following his man of the match display against Crystal Palace last week.

Having previously