Gilberto Silva sends blunt warning to William Saliba amid Real Madrid speculation

Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva has warned William Saliba the grass isn’t always greener amid speculation Real Madrid have made him a top transfer target ahead of next summer’s window.

The 22-year-old has firmly established a reputation as one of Europe’s best central defenders on the back of his outstanding form for club and country over the course of the last two seasons.

After struggling to earn the trust of Mikel Arteta during the early stages of his Gunners career, Saliba is now one of the first names on the team sheet and considered an essential part of a notoriously mean Arsenal defence.

The France international was coveted by Real during his formative years at Saint-Etienne but were beaten to his signature by Arsenal, whose transfer activity at the time was being conducted by Raul Sanllehi and Unai Emery.

With the likes of Antonio Rudiger edging towards the end of their careers, the Spanish giants looking to potentially strengthen their defence in the near future but Silva believes all of Saliba’s career goals can be fulfilled should he opt to remain in north London.

‘I think there are examples of several other athletes who were at Arsenal in the past during good times, both for the club and individually, and who made an expensive change and weren’t as successful.’ he told MyBettingSites.co.uk.

‘Arsenal has a philosophy within a very special culture, and people may not understand the greatness of this club.

‘If they understood the greatness of the club and didn’t let themselves be carried away by the ego that is inflated when faced with a big offer from a club like Real Madrid, they could build a history at the club.

‘Anyone who wants to take a different step in their career should do so, but with the certainty that they will have to build a history all over again.

‘Arsenal is second to no other club in terms of investment. Obviously, knowing a little about the vision of the people at the club, they won’t do anything crazy either, especially if the player doesn’t want to stay at the club, right?

‘The main point is that at a club like Arsenal, the player has to want to stay at the club.’

Saliba’s burgeoning partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes, meanwhile, has played a key role in helping Arteta’s men maintain an unbeaten start to the new campaign.

Arteta, however, believes there is still room for improvement and is confident is defensive linchpins still have room to develop.

Speaking ahead of last weekend’s win over Southampton, he said: ‘Obviously they are incredibly important for us, but I think the team has built that consistency and the capacity to win matches because the 11 players are so committed in every phase of play. They have the hunger and desire to compete for every ball.’