William Saliba has sent an emotional message on social media after Arsenal moved to announce a surprise release ahead of the new season getting underway.
Saliba has been a rock at the back for Arsenal for a number of years now, after joining the club from Saint Etienne back in 2019 then spending time out on loan at Nice and Marseille.
He has formed one of the best defensive partnerships in world football with Gabriel in recent seasons, yet the Gunners’ have still struggled to win trophies despite their impressive squad.
Football Insider revealed in May that Arsenal are concerned about Real Madrid’s interest in Saliba, and sources say that “alarm bells are ringing” at the North London club with his future uncertain.
The Gunners are planning to be busy in the transfer market this summer as they look to close the gap on Liverpool next season, and they have recently confirmed a surprise departure as a player was released from their contract to be allowed to move on.
Versatile defender Tomiyasu joined Arsenal from Bologna in 2021, and while he impressed in his first few seasons in North London, he found it increasingly tough to stay fit and make an impact on Arteta’s side over the last few years.
Football Insider revealed last September that Arsenal were not looking to sell Tomiyasu in the January window, as Arteta believed he had a future at the club at that moment in time.
But he did not feature as the season went on, and then Tomiyasu was ruled out for the rest of the campaign in February due to an existing knee issue that he had surgery on to try and rectify the problem.
The Japanese international made just one appearance last term, and so Arsenal moved to come to a mutual agreement to release him from his contract, announcing on the news on Instagram on Friday (4 July), saying: “We have reached a mutual agreement with Takehiro Tomiyasu to end his contract with immediate effect.”
Tomiyasu himself took to Instagram to pen a message to Gunners supporters, saying: “After 4 unforgettable years, the time has come for me to say goodbye to this incredible club.
“Obviously, I have got many things to say, but the thing that I want to tell you guys the most is just thank you for the love you guys gave me…once a Gunner, always a Gunner. ARIGATO and all the best, Tomi”
His post was reacted to by now former teammate and fellow defender Saliba, who reposted it to his Instagram story and sent his own message to Tomiyasu, saying: “My Guy good luck,” with a red heart and folded hands emoji to show his gratitude to the 26-year-old.
While Tomiyasu will scarcely be missed by Gunners supporters for his exploits on the pitch, Saliba is quite the opposite, given that he has been a regular at the back for Arteta over each of the last three seasons.
Arsenal have not won anything in that time, but there is a sense that they are building each year under the Spaniard, and losing Saliba would be absolutely detrimental to any chances of trophies in the near future.
Former scout Mick Brown recently revealed to Football Insider that the Gunners are planning to offer Saliba a new bumper contract soon, with Real Madrid’s interest having potentially cooled after they recently signed Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth.
They need to agree fresh terms with the France international soon, though, as he is now in the final two years of his deal, and so could go for a much smaller fee than initially envisaged if he was to leave next summer.
