'Four years and I've always finished second' – Saliba desperate to win with Arsenal

William Saliba has admitted his burning desire to finally win silverware with Arsenal FC as the Gunners enter the defining stretch of their season.

The defender says the entire club must give everything if they are to end their long wait for major honours.

With Arsenal still battling for both the Premier League and Champions League, Saliba stressed that calmness and total commitment will be crucial in the weeks ahead.

“I think we need to be calm. We need to die on the pitch as well, because it’s now. Now we have to go, and we need everyone: the supporters, the team, the staff, everyone, because we have to do it now. After that, it’s too late,” Saliba said.

The French centre-back emphasised that the title race remains alive despite recent setbacks and insisted Arsenal know exactly what is required from here.

“Everything is decided now. If you want to win the league, you have to fight until the end. We are ready for that.

“Last game we wanted to win, and we didn’t. But it’s not finished. Now we know what we have coming, and we know what we have to do if we want to win the league. We have to start on Saturday.”

Saliba also spoke candidly about his personal frustration at repeatedly falling just short since joining Arsenal, revealing that he has finished second in every full season with the club.

“We haven’t won the Premier League since 2004. It’s been a while. It means a lot for us and for me personally,” he said.

“I’ve been here for four years and I’ve always finished second. If we change that this season, it will be a massive success for us and for me. I’m sure we will do that.”

The comments only go to show the hunger within Mikel Arteta’s squad to finally get over the line after multiple near misses in recent seasons. For Saliba, turning Arsenal’s promise into trophies would not only end a 22-year title drought but also erase the frustration of being so close for so long.