Arsenal have a protracted historical past of curious selections within the transfer market, however the William Saliba saga is definitely up there with essentially the most weird. It began off easily sufficient when the Gunners paid St. Etienne near £30m to safe the companies of one of the extremely rated younger centre backs in Europe again within the 2019 earlier than loaning him again to Les Verts for that season. Things began to get slightly stranger although when the teen returned to North London in the summertime of 2020 anticipating to be part of Mikel Arteta ‘s first group plans solely to seek out himself taking part in under-23 soccer for half a season earlier than going again out on mortgage to Ligue 1 this time with Nice. Much of the blame for the perceived mismanagement of the 20-year-old final yr has fallen at Arteta’s door, however new stories counsel that it might not have been that easy.
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According to Ouest France (as cited by GFFN ) the decision was taken comparatively early to ship the Frenchman out on mortgage. As Arteta has beforehand said, it was felt that Saliba was less than customary after lacking a lot of his season again on mortgage with St Etienne by means of damage and the early cancellation of the 2019/20 Ligue 1 season as a consequence of COVID-19. After some private struggles whereas adapting to his new nation of residence a return to France was seen as the very best vacation spot for the then 19-year-old. Rennes have been mentioned to be the entrance runners for his momentary signature, solely for them to go AWOL on the deal leaving the defender scrambling to discover a mortgage transfer late within the window. At this level administrative errors have been reportedly made by the Gunners as a late transfer to return the participant for a second mortgage spell at St Etienne fell by means of, and Saliba was caught taking part in underwhelming video games within the Papa John’s Trophy for Steve Bould’s under-23 facet reasonably than the Premier League fixtures that had attracted him to the Emirates within the first place.
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The blame for his destiny within the first half of final season the place he in the end wasted three key months of growth whereas the ageing Shkodran Mustafi was given minutes within the Europa League as a substitute can justifiably fall at Arteta’s door. But the truth that the intention was to mortgage him out for the entire of 2020/21 would counsel that the Spaniard did have long run plans for Saliba. Arteta mentioned as a lot after the French under-20 worldwide secured his momentary transfer to Nice in January. “I do know that generally it’s troublesome to clarify or perceive after the cash that the membership has spent attempting to deliver him in, to ship him on mortgage,” mentioned the Spaniard to the press.
William Saliba faces an enormous decision with reference to his Arsenal future this summer time. (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC through Getty Images).
“But a variety of issues have occurred to him, he’s a long-term participant for us and we have to shield him as properly. And giving him three or 4 video games is just not sufficient. “For him, he wants rather more than that, as a result of what occurred within the final 18 months, he’s been by means of some private issues as properly that now we have to attempt to assist him and keep as shut as doable to him. “And now he must play, play and play and revel in his occupation as properly. And so as to try this I believe we discovered the appropriate membership with him. “He’s very blissful to go there now. Hopefully he can get pleasure from his soccer and be prepared for us for subsequent season.”
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The incontrovertible fact that Saliba has reportedly rejected a mortgage transfer to Rennes this season after what occurred final summer time would appear to counsel he thought he additionally was going out on mortgage as properly. Arteta’s reference to him as a “long-term participant” would appear to counsel that he nonetheless does have future plans for the Frenchman, though his actions inform a distinct story. Arsenal are closing in on a deal to signal Ben White from Brighton for a charge believed to be within the area of £50million. It is unlikely that the membership would wish to spend this a lot on a participant if they don’t see him as being a starter for years to return. Couple that with the truth that Rob Holding was handed a contract extension that might last as long as 4 years in January and it’s troublesome to see the place Saliba matches into the Gunners facet going ahead, with Pablo Mari and Gabriel having the left sided centre half place locked in between them.
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The participant is about to be given an opportunity to impress in pre-season and after rejecting a name up from France for the Olympics he appears decided to take it. That mentioned although, his representatives held talks with Edu at Highbury House on Tuesday and soccer.london understands that he’s contemplating his choices this summer time given the possible lack of an apparent pathway to the primary group. If he have been to depart Arsenal with out ever taking part in a aggressive match it might be a tragic ending for Saliba who could as soon as have genuinely been in Arteta’s long run plans even when it does not appear that he’s any extra.