The partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel has many Arsenal fans fondly recalling the heedy days of Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Nigel Winterburn forming the main part of one of English football's greatest ever defensive line-ups.
Such rave reviews are always going to lead to concern whenever a transfer window looms, but despite reports involving the duo's names unsurprisingly ramping up, one such article suggests Gooners worldwide shouldn't get too worried just yet.
Real Madrid reportedly want Saliba
It was Le10Sport in Saliba's native France that published the report that Real Madrid see the centre-back as transfer target number one when the current season concludes.
MORE: All the latest soccer news | Real Madrid news | Explaining how 'socios' own Real Madrid
The publication suggests that Saliba "ticks all the boxes" of a marquee signing for Los Galacticos, and that Real have already reached out to his entourage in order to "take the temperature" of the hypothetical situation.
William Saliba contract status at Arsenal
The first thing working in the London club's favour in this scenario is that Saliba is under contract until June 2027, a further two seasons after the current one ends.
This means no suitors for the Frenchman are in a position of leverage to force the issue in 2025.
Arsenal 'will not entertain Saliba offers'
And now, The Express are confident enough to state that Arsenal are well aware of the value Saliba and their defensive staff overall give to the team and their dreams of claiming a first league title in over 20 years when they went "invincible" in 2003/04.
The Gunners kept 18 clean sheets last season, conceding just 29 goals for what was the best defensive record in the 2023/24 Premier League — and Saliba played in every single game.
MORE: All the latest Arsenal news | Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings
