Champions League could be key for Arsenal in major new contract talks | OneFootball

Success in Europe could have big impact on two players who have made it clear they want to win big trophies

Big summer ahead: William Saliba and Bukayo Saka are both in line for bumper new Arsenal contracts

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Making the semi-finals of the Champions League is worth millions of pounds to Arsenal - but there is another value involved that could prove to be priceless.

Both players have spoken about the situation recently and there was a common theme to their answers on the matter.

The pair love Arsenal and are happy there, but they also want to win trophies with the club.

Saka responded to his early penalty miss to star as Arsenal beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Bernabeu on Wednesday to reach the Champions League semi-finals

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Mikel Arteta believes that is possible and there is no greater example to support his argument than Wednesday night.

Victory over Real Madrid showed Arsenal can compete with the best in Europe and one wonders what impact it would have had on Saka and Saliba.

Saka was at the heart of the celebrations, joining Arteta, Saliba and Martin Odegaard in a huge embrace moments after the final whistle.

The winger then whipped his shirt off and waved it over his head, dancing with his team-mates in front of the Arsenal fans up in the gods at the Bernabeu.

Saliba revelled in the moment too, and the impact of beating Real Madrid could be even more profound on him than Saka.

Real Madrid are thought to be interested in signing the centre-back, most likely when his current contract expires in 2027.

Arsenal dismantling them in such a fashion may make Saliba think twice, especially when you consider the age of this Gunners squad.

William Saliba is wanted by Real Madrid, but Champions League humbling may give him doubt over potential Bernabeu move

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Saka is 23 and Saliba one year older, and they are surrounded by players coming into their prime.

Gabriel is 27, Odegaard is 26, Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Martinelli are both 23. And let’s not forget Myles Lewis-Skelly, who remarkably is only 18.

After years of building, Arteta’s project at Arsenal feels ready to really take off and victory over Real Madrid felt like a landmark moment.

Not only will it have made the rest of Europe sit up and take notice, but it will have surely filled this Arsenal squad with a new-found inner belief.

After seasons of near-misses, the Gunners look like a team with the mental capacity to get over the line in the future.

After years of building, Arteta’s project at Arsenal feels ready to really take off

Arteta has repeatedly spoken about the squad’s desire to create history and, rather than being weighed down by that, they seem to thrive under the pressure of it. Who knows, that wait for silverware could even end this season.

Arsenal are now just three games away from being crowned European champions for the first time in their history.

The final four sides all boast impressive pedigrees, but Arsenal will fancy their chances and they have no reason to fear anyone. Once you have taken down Real Madrid, anything seems possible.