William Saliba has revealed why he rejected Real Madrid to sign a new long-term contract with Arsenal.
The French defender said his heart belongs in north London, despite admitting he’s still “lacking trophies” with the Gunners.
“I wanted to continue at Arsenal because I feel at home there […] I wanted to settle there in the long term,” he said.
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Saliba admitted the decision wasn’t about fame or money, but about “belonging” and finishing what he started under Mikel Arteta.
“I’m lacking trophies but they will come quickly because we have a good manager and a good squad,” he said.
Reflecting on players who left England for Madrid, Saliba insisted he can’t leave empty-handed.
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“He won some titles with Liverpool. Me, I didn’t win anything here except… only the Community Shield,” he said.
“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.”
His loyalty comes after a long road back into Arteta’s plans, having been loaned to Saint-Etienne, Nice, and Marseille.
“Arteta was straight to me. The first week he told me that for him I was not ready to play,” Saliba recalled.
“I didn’t give up and now I’m here in front of you playing for Arsenal.”
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Now one of Arsenal’s top earners on £250,000 a week, Saliba says he’s driven by unfinished business not the bright lights of Madrid.