William Saliba is yet to make a senior appearance under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal but has impressed on loan with Marseille and has made his international debut for France
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a decision to make regarding William Saliba's future
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a decision to make regarding William Saliba's future
Mikel Arteta is facing a huge decision this summer over the future of Arsenal prospect William Saliba following his latest 'extraordinary' loan spell.
The £27 million defender has not been given a sniff of an opportunity with the Gunners after signing as a teenager in 2019. Since agreeing a long-term contract in the capital, Saliba has spent three consecutive seasons back in France on loan.
Following stints with former club AS Saint-Etienne and Nice, the 21-year-old has enjoyed a fine season to date with Marseille. Saliba has missed just one Ligue One match under Jorge Sampaoli, and even made his senior international debut for France in March.
Didier Deschamps praised the centre-back for being 'incredibly calm' upon making his first appearance for the world champions. Yet despite this impressive campaign, doubts remain as to whether Saliba will be afforded a chance to continue his progression at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta has stood by the club's decision to loan Saliba out once again, insisting the promising centre-back is reaping the rewards of guaranteed first-team minutes. Speaking after his France call-up, he said: “I think we are really happy with the decision that we made because again the exposure and minutes and responsibility on his growth at his age is something that we could not guarantee him this season. And it makes a lot of sense what is happening with him. We are glad to see the way he is improving.”
However, it is an approach which has been openly criticised by Gunners and France legend Thierry Henry. The former World Cup winner believes a judgement was passed on Saliba at Arsenal without even allowing the young centre-back the chance to impress or make a mistake.
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