William Saliba has revealed he “pushed” to join Marseille on loan earlier this summer after it became clear he wasn’t part of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s first-team plans for the new campaign.
There was talk that the Gunners wanted him to remain in England so he could acclimatise to the football in this country, but Saliba says he was very keen on moving back to Ligue One and he didn’t rule staying beyond this season:
“I spoke with the coach and the president [before deciding on the loan]. I was convinced. For a young person like me, it’s good to come here to improve. I chose Marseille because it is the right choice. I pushed to come here. We will see what will happen next season.”
Supporters are pretty worried by Saliba’s comments, with many believing that the 20-year-old will be sold next summer:
Definitely will leave Arsenal. Can’t blame him
— Alan (@King_of_Anglia) August 5, 2021
He’s gone isn’t he ffs
— Woadman Eddie (@RoadmanEddie) August 5, 2021
the scenes if he stays in marseille
— AFCFredo (@AFCKaenaek) August 5, 2021
He didn’t say why did he choose Marseille though did he
— Pépé’s Stepovers (@PStepovers) August 5, 2021
He has gone. Time to move on.
— Matt Kett (@matthewKett) August 5, 2021
The way it looks he wants to permanently stay in France
— Isaac one (@isaacja1987) August 5, 2021
we never gave him a chance i feel him tbf
— jefe (@bigmon808) August 5, 2021
It does seem like a growing possibility that Saliba will leave the Gunners on a permanent basis without playing a match for the first team. The defender was signed for £27m from Saint-Etienne two years ago but he was brought in by a previous regime, and there has always been a feeling that Arteta simply doesn’t rate him.
