Arsenal: 6 contracts expiring in 2024 that need sorting out

Arsenal: 6 contracts expiring in 2024 to sort out

Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka (L), Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (2L) and Arsenal's German-born Portuguese defender Cedric Soares (2R) congratulate goalscorer Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 13, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Marseille’s French defender William Saliba looks on during the UEFA Europa Conference League match between Basel and Marseille (OM) at the St. Jakob-Park Stadium in Basel, northern Switzerland, on March 17, 2022. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images) /

5. William Saliba

It’s coming up to that time of the year where the William Saliba saga opens up to a new chapter. As it stands discussions are to take place with his agent in the coming weeks to discuss an extension, with a lot of the debate going to be focused around playing time.

Does he get into this Arsenal team ahead of Gabriel or Benjamin White? While he’ll fancy his chances, you might not back him to replace either in Arteta’s eyes.

But with the hope of Champions League football next season and the need for three top class central defenders who all possess the technical quality on the ball, there is a large opening for him in this squad to rotate and compete.

Convincing him is another matter. This is a defender who has only just turned 21 yet has played more minutes across Europe than another other centre-back in his age bracket. Such have been the level of his performances that he’s made it into his first ever France senior squad, which is an almighty feat for any player considering the embarrassment of talent they boast in every position.

Destined to be one of the best in Europe, he’d be a valuable addition to the team he has yet to make a single appearance for. He’s Arsenal’s player after all, and if this club wants to be challenging at the top they need quality depth in key positions.

Verdict: Renew, although he’s surely going to want to leave

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