Per Mertesacker has encouraged Mikel Arteta to give William Saliba a run in the first team at Arsenal.
Saliba was among those who returned to London Colney this week for the start of pre-season training, as he looks to finally make his mark in north London three years after joining the club.
Since then the 21-year-old has had loan spells at Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille, leading to questions surrounding his Arsenal future and whether Arteta trusted the centre-back.
While Marseille were keen to keep Salba in France, he has voiced his desire to return to Arsenal and prove himself with the Gunners. There is also talk of a new contract, with the defender having two years left on his current deal.
Arsenal’s academy director and former centre-back Mertesacker is keen for Saliba to get his chance at the Emirates, believing he has shown enough while on loan to earn that.
“What William has done in Marseille is magnificent,” Mertesacker told HaytersTV.
“So for us to really test him this summer and see what’s best for him.
“But he has clearly made his mark with his young age, with his playing in a major league in Europe and being one of the best players says it all. So why not use him?”
