When it comes to producing exciting up-and-coming talents, few Premier League clubs have been as successful as Arsenal in recent years.
For example, even after adding plenty of international superstars to the team, Mikel Arteta’s most important player remains Bukayo Saka.
Moreover, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are already established first-teamers, and Max Dowman looks like he could be the club’s next world-class superstar.
However, for all those youngsters who’ve made their way into the team, Arsenal have lost several incredible gems to other sides, including one who could have potentially one day been a homegrown version of William Saliba.
Saliba's Arsenal career
While it has been on the cards for some time now, David Ornstein finally reported yesterday afternoon that Saliba has agreed to sign a new five-year contract with Arsenal.
According to the respected journalist, the Frenchman will put pen to paper in the “coming days”, and it is difficult to overstate how big a deal this is for the club.
After all, it’s been widely reported for several years now that Real Madrid are desperate to add the incredible centre-back to their squad, and it’s easy to see why.
The Bondy-born “monster,” as dubbed by content creator Connor Humm, has made 139 appearances for the North Londoners, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in that time.
He has also won 28 senior caps for the French national team and put up some seriously impressive underlying numbers last season.
npxG/Shot
0.38
Top %
Pass Completion %
94.3%
Top %
Pass Completion % (Long)
79.9%
Top %
Touches (Mid 3rd)
46.53
Top %
Live-ball Passes
74.27
Top %
Goals/Shot
0.33
Top %
Passes Completed
71.46
Top %
Passes Received
63.29
Top %
Passes Attempted
75.78
Top %
Total Passing Distance
1227.78
Top %
Passes Blocked
0.12
Top %
Touches
83.63
Top %
Touches (Live-Ball)
83.63
Top %
Carries
52.00
Top %
According to FBref, he ranked in the top 1% of centre-backs in the Premier League for pass completion, the top 4% for live passes, the top 6% for goals per shot, the top 7% for passes attempted and more, all per 90.
In short, Saliba is one of the best defenders in the world’s toughest league, so securing his services for another five years is a massive deal.
Unfortunately, Arsenal sold a former academy gem who could have potentially been a homegrown version of the Frenchman.
Arsenal's former homegrown Saliba
So, with Saliba signing a new deal, the incredible performances of Cristhian Mosquera and the other unreal options Arsenal have at centre-back, they are unlikely to be overly concerned about losing a young prospect.
Where Are They Now
However, it can also be true that they would’ve been better off keeping and loaning out Ayden Hevaen anyway.
Yes, the youngster in question is the 19-year-old Englishman, who, after making a name for himself in Hale End and earning a few cameos here and there, joined Manchester United for £1m in the winter window.
Described as a defensive “beast” by podcaster and Hale End expert Will Balsam, the teenage phenom made 47 appearances across the Gunners’ various youth sides and one senior competitive appearance against Bolton Wanderers in the League Cup.
However, since moving to the Red Devils, his game time has dramatically increased, with Ruben Amorim already playing him eight times, including twice this season.
There is still a long way to go before the youngster gets anywhere near his full potential, but it’s easy to see why so many were excited about his development in North London.
On top of his “remarkable” defensive qualities, as Arteta put it, the Englishman is, like Saliba, no slouch with the ball.
In fact, when explaining his qualities, Balsam was keen to point out that his “passing range is frankly insane”, and talent scout Jacek Kulig named Levi Colwill as another player he’s similar to, again because of his “passing” ability.
Ultimately, Arsenal probably have the best set of defenders in world football, but had they kept hold of Heaven, that set would be just that little bit stronger.