Matteo Guendouzi has risked angering Arsenal fans by insisting he will attempt to convince William Saliba to stay at Marseille next season.
Centre-back Saliba is expected to return to the Emirates Stadium this summer after three seasons away on loan, with the view to finally getting a chance in the first-team squad.
Saliba is yet to play a competitive minute for the Gunners since joining in 2019 but continues to impress in France, where he was recently named Ligue 1's young player of the season.
Guendouzi, also on loan at Marseille from Arsenal, was bombed out of the Gunners by head coach Mikel Arteta due to reported disciplinary issues and concerns over his attitude.
Much like Saliba, he has impressed in France but, unlike Saliba, is widely expected to make the move to Marseille permanent this summer - and hopes the defender sticks with him.
Guendouzi told TF1: "William now has Marseille in his heart and I am sure that he will come back to Marseille next season.
"So I am going to try to push again for him to stay with us."
Saliba, however, has other ideas. He told reporters recently: "I belong to Arsenal, I still have two years left.
"I will be back with Arsenal [for pre-season]. I have played no matches and I still want to show them my true face and have the chance to play for these fans and this great club.
"But it doesn’t just depend on me. In any case, to leave like this, would be a shame."
