Sawt Falasteen - Arteta hails Saliba's impact as new Arsenal deal looms

Saliba, whose current deal expires in 2027, is expected to sign a new five-year deal with the Gunners despite interest from Real Madrid.

"Hopefully it will be everybody in the world, Arsenal included, (reporting it) very soon and that's what I'm hoping," said Arteta ahead of Sunday's trip to Newcastle.

Saliba joined the Gunners in 2019 but had a number of loan spells before establishing himself as a regular in Arteta's team during the 2022/23 season.

Since then the 24-year-old France international has been at the heart of an Arsenal side that has finished second in each of the past three seasons in the Premier League.

Alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, Saliba has formed arguably the best centre-back partnership in European football as Arsenal have once again become contenders for major titles.

"He's been instrumental in everything we've done in the last few years," said Arteta.

"It's great to see a lot of players willing and so driven to come into the club. That means that they are happy, they feel valued and they see that this is the best opportunity for them to continue their careers and fulfil the ambition of the club.

"It's very impressive what he's done at his age because sometimes we tend to forget. But his consistency, the way he's progressed, I think the way he's matured as well as a person and his role in the team has grown year after year. He's been pivotal to that."

If Arsenal are to end their run as nearly men in the title race, they can ill afford to drop more points at St James' Park this weekend.

Arteta's men already trail defending champions Liverpool by five points, just five games into the new campaign.

Arsenal have lost on their past three visits to Newcastle and Arteta is aware of the need to buck that trend.

"To play (there) it's such a challenge and opportunity as well so it's a great game to play," he said.

"We know the test, we know that we're going to have to be much more efficient than we've been lately when we played up there to win the game."

Arteta could have captain Martin Odegaard back after a shoulder problem but new signing Noni Madueke may be out of action for up to two months after suffering a knee injury.

M.AbuKhalil--SF-PST