There were plenty of people who felt that after sending William Saliba on his third loan spell before making an appearance for the club, Arsenal had missed their chance to nurture the hottest defensive prospect in Europe.
One of those doubters was ex-Gunners centre-back William Gallas, who suggested the France international would not take kindly to returning to Arsenal from an incredibly successful loan stint with Marseille just to sit on the bench in north London.
Gallas warned his former side over their handling of Saliba while speaking to Goal at the back-end of last season, as he said: "I think they didn't give him the opportunities at Arsenal, and I don't know why. That's why he moved on loan to Marseille.
"He has to be ready to accept being on the bench. Mikel Arteta, if he plays with a different system, with three at the back, then he could play with Saliba. He has to understand this and be ready, otherwise don’t come back to Arsenal because it will be difficult.
"Defenders are completely different to strikers, you need to have experience when you play at the back. Saliba is only 21 years old. He has played 30 or more games at Marseille, so if he goes back to Arsenal then he would like to play again. Maybe he will be on the bench, and if that happens then he will be upset."
However, it may have come as a surprise to both Gallas and the rest of the Arsenal faithful that Saliba played the full 90 minutes of the Gunners' opening game of the Premier League season, much like he played the overwhelming majority of pre-season fixtures.
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Mikel Arteta could have been forgiven for thinking that Selhurst Park under the lights on opening night would be far too intense of a stage to introduce Saliba. But instead of floundering and appearing panicked, Saliba was by far and away the most assured player on the pitch as Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners in Croydon.
So much so, that the former Saint-Etienne star was handed the man of the match award by Sky Sports commentator and ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher. The praise did not end there, with Gary Neville likening him to Premier League icon Rio Ferdinand.
The most important praise, however, came from his manager. Arteta waxed lyrical over Saliba, telling reporters after the game: "You don't really see that. At 21 years old, debut in the Premier League, against this opponent, against physical players - and resolve that situation the way he has done it. With that composure, with that calmness and with that presence. So big credit to the boy."
Saliba was incredibly humble considering his faultless debut display and simply expressed his desire for more nights like the one against Palace.
"I've waited a long time, but we did it {won and kept a clean sheet] in my first ever game, and I am so happy," the youngster declared. It's very good when you start to have your first (chance) in this amazing club. So I am so happy and hungry for more."
