The return of William Saliba from his loan spell with French side Marseille has been like a big-money signing for Arsenal. Saliba has been rock solid at the back for Mikel Arteta's side this season and has warranted himself a place in the France World Cup squad alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane.
His breakout campaign came last season, helping guide Marseille to Champions League football and winning himself the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award. There were rumours linking him with another short-term departure in the summer but Arteta was quick to refute them and has started him in all 14 of the Gunners Premier League games this season.
Saliba has established himself as one the league’s most impressive defenders and has been part of Arteta's backline that has kept the joint-most clean sheets this campaign. The north-Londoners sit top of the table after enjoying their best start to a Premier League season, winning 12 of their opening 14 games.
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After his standout performances this term, there remains some concern over his long-term future as he contract expires in June 2023 0 though football.london understands that the club hold an option of an extra year on his contract. It's been reported that French giants PSG are monitoring his situation in case of a possible move.
However, Arsenal could hold a big advantage in keeping hold of their defender with the previous success of French players. Matteo Guendouzi, Saliba's former teammate at Marseille, has recently described how he formed a special connection with the club before signing due to the influx of French talent in the past.
He told GQ in France: "It was hard to leave Arsenal because I had a special connection to that club, like a lot of young French players who saw Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and many others go through there.
"I never cheated, I always tried to give the best of myself for the club and the fans. But I no longer had the game time I wanted and when you're young, you need to play a lot of games."
Ahead of his first major tournament with Les Blues, Saliba has spoken of his desire to follow in the footsteps of Henry and Vieira of becoming the next Gunners star to taste World Cup glory with France. "Of course. I want to be the next Frenchman to do that, like (Robert) Pires or (Patrick) Vieira or Henry," said Saliba.
Technical director Edu will like what he hears from Saliba. The Gunners will be keen to extend the defender's stay to ensure they avoid losing him for a low transfer fee. Attraction is only going to increase if he continues his impressive form in Qatar.
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