Boluwatife Kehinde
Arsenal defender William Saliba has reiterated that his main goal remains winning trophies with the Gunners, despite admitting that interest from European giants Real Madrid was “very tempting.”
Saliba has firmly established himself as a cornerstone of Mikel Arteta’s defence, playing a crucial role in helping Arsenal compete for major honours both domestically and in Europe.
According to a report shared by Fabrizio Romano on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the French defender said in an interview with Telefoot:
“Real Madrid interest? Of course, it’s really tempting when a club like that wants you… but I wanted to win titles with Arsenal first before thinking about anything else.”
The 22-year-old centre-back reaffirmed his commitment to the North London club, emphasizing that he remains fully focused on Arsenal’s ambitions despite ongoing speculation linking him with Real Madrid and other top European sides.
Meanwhile, in the 2025–26 season, Saliba has continued to be one of Arsenal’s most dependable performers. He has featured in eight Premier League games so far, starting six and coming off the bench once. Although he hasn’t registered any goals or assists yet, his defensive displays have been consistently strong and assured.
In the Champions League, Saliba has started two matches, completing the full 90 minutes in each.
Defensively, he has recorded approximately five tackles and twenty-one ball recoveries across all competitions. While he has yet to make an attacking contribution, his reading of the game, positioning, and composure in building play from the back continue to be vital components of Arsenal’s defensive solidity this season.
