Arsenal are set to open initial discussions with William Saliba over a new contract as the defender plans to test himself in the Premier League next season.
William Saliba is a man in demand after hitting form since returning to his homeland on loan with Marseille. The Ligue 1 outfit are keen to make the centre-back’s move permanent this summer thanks to an impressive run of performances. But French media claim Arsenal chiefs have already decided Saliba, 20, is the “future” of their defence and are determined to give him a chance to prove himself in the Premier League.
Marseille president Pablo Longoria has announced his intentions to sign him, despite Arteta already giving a verdict on his future. “It’s a three-way question. For the club that owns the player, Arsenal, the player and Marseille,” Longoria told Le10Sport when speaking about the possibility of signing Saliba. “We have to see our possibilities. He is very happy here, we are very satisfied with his performance.
As Marseille prepare to take on Basel in the first leg of their Europa Conference League last-16 tie on today, we take a look at William Saliba’s form and see if he has earned a shot in the Gunners’ defence.
- William Saliba is yet to play a competitive game for Arsenal since arriving in the summer of 2019 after returning to Saint-Etienne on loan for a season immediately after his move. The closest he got to the field was being twice named as an unused substitute in 2020 before spending six months in the Under-23s and ultimately ending the season at Nice. After the present campaign with Marseille, Saliba will be three years into a five-year contract before he will have a chance to pull on a Gunners shirt.
- Saliba has made 36 appearances in all competitions this term and started all but one game in Ligue 1 having become an essential member of Jorge Sampaoli’s defence.He has completed nearly 700 more passes than any of his team-mates and also leads the club in interceptions and completed clearances.
- Arsenal’s defence has seen massive improvements this season after Ben White slotted in nicely alongside Gabriel despite a rocky start to the ex-Brighton man’s Emirates career. Heading into Sunday’s clash with Leicester, Arteta’s outfit top the Premier League form table over the last 10 matches — picking up 25 points from a possible 30 and conceding just seven goals in the process. The Spanish tactician is rumoured to be in the market for a right-back and Saliba would offer another option in the middle as cover for any potential injuries.
- Turning 21 this month, the talented prospect was always going to be one for the future and could bounce back from an odd start to life in North London.