If there is one coach that knows a thing or two about defending it shouldn’t take too long before the name Diego Simeone emerges in discussions. The Argentine has given Arsenal tough memories in a Europa League semi-final of just how hard it is to score past his teams.
Therefore, when it is learned that the Rojiblancos are linked with a move for Arsenal’s young yet divisive centre-half William Saliba, it is quite the compliment. I use the term divisive purely because Mikel Arteta’s keenness to utilise the Frenchman is seemingly not on the same level of most Gunners supporters.
Since Arteta arrived, Saliba is yet to make his competitive debut for the club. He has spent the past 18 months on loan with Nice and Marseille in France and his future looks no clearer.
READ MORE: Didier Deschamps dents Arsenal’s William Saliba hopes as PSG and Bayern Munich offer major prize
He has done a couple of recent interviews which did little to clear up the situation. Speaking over the international break it had looked like he was open to integrating as a rotation player at the club.
"I'm sure I can't just be on the bench at Arsenal and be happy,” he told L’Equipe. “I want to play as a starter. Afterwards, if I come into the rotation as a substitute, it's not like staying with the Under-23s and never being in the squad."
However, his most recent conversation again appeared to undermine the hope that he could stay. Speaking to Le Parisien he again left his future open to interpretation.
“There is always a chance,” Saliba said. “I do not hide that I am very happy in Marseille. I have developed, I have passed a milestone. If I make it into France’s squad it’s thanks to Marseille, because there is a lot of visibility.
“They are a very big club with a lot of pressure, but when you’re good there are a lot of good things that happen to you.
“We will see in May or June depending on the discussions. Today, my future, I don’t know what it is.”
Now though, with Atletico Madrid interested according to L’Equipe via GFFN, Saliba may be tempted to make the switch. Certainly, should Simeone be able to guarantee more first-team football for a potential Champions League competing side.
Should Arteta need any more justification besides Saliba being arguably the best centre-half in Ligue 1 this season, passing attributes tailor-made for what the Spaniard looks for in a defender and a now senior international with France then I do not know what he can do? It is not to say that he has been better than Ben White, the stats certainly don’t support this, but he should be in contention.
Gabriel Magalhaes meanwhile is lagging behind the Frenchman in many areas this season. Arteta needs to make sure that he doesn’t allow the 20-year-old to slip through the net.
Should he move, at least the club needs to ensure a profit is made on the approximate £27 million paid to Saint-Etienne back in 2019. But again, this should not be what the club is focusing on and instead finding a path for the young defender.
