Mikel Arteta told two things he must do to prevent big-money William Saliba exit

Arsenal defender William Saliba is attracting interest from Real Madrid and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has been told there is only one way to ensure the Frenchman stays at the Emirates

Arsenal have been warned that “winning and being successful” is the only way to ensure they do not lose William Saliba.

Saliba has emerged as a transfer target for Real Madrid after starring for the Gunners alongside partner Gabriel in recent seasons. Mirror Football understands that Arsenal believe Saliba remains fully committed to the club after signing a new long-term deal last year.

However, Tony Cascarino believes Arsenal have to start winning trophies if they are to keep hold of Saliba, having finished second behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race for the past two seasons.

“There are vultures in football hanging over football clubs all the time to try to snatch their best players,” the former Chelsea striker said on talkSPORT. “There’s no bigger vulture than Real Madrid.

“If they’re after you there’s a good chance [of the player moving]. It’s not only convincing the player but the agents get involved, the lure of Real Madrid. Winning and being successful is a great way of keeping players, it really is.

“Arsenal have to achieve that because Saliba is playing to the level of being a Real Madrid player but he’s got to be convinced that Arsenal are going to be a successful and winning team and challenging to win the Champions League because that’s what Real Madrid do so often.”

Cascarino also suggested Arsenal may have to offer Saliba another new deal in order to tie him down. When asked if the Frenchman would prove irreplaceable, Cascarino responded: “I think everyone is replaceable to a degree.

“We’re talking about a super-high level, once Real Madrid are interested in you, you know that that’s the team who win the Champions League more often than not. When they’re after you, Arsenal have got a problem.

“He just signed a five-year deal a year ago so they’ve got him under contract for a quite a while but they might have to throw another new deal at him to try and keep him even longer. It’s going to be a problem but that’s great for Arsenal as a football club because it shows they’re being successful because a club like Real Madrid want one of their players.”

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