William Saliba has warned Mikel Arteta that he will not be a benchwarmer for Arsenal next season as he looks to book his spot on France's flight to Qatar.
The centre-half has been impressing on loan at Marseille and is set to return to the Emirates in the summer and stake his claim for a place in Arteta's starting XI. There were rumours circulating that the Gunners would sell Saliba while his stock is high having shelled out £50million for Ben White who has formed a brilliant partnership with Gabriel this term.
Saliba has yet to make a single competitive appearance for Arsenal which has added fuel to that fire. Marseille have looked into the possibility of making the loan move permanent, as a result, but Arsenal plan to utilise his services next term.
Saliba hopes to have an outside chance of going to the World Cup after being a late call-up for the injured Benjamin Pavard and playing in both of France’s friendlies against Ivory Coast and South Africa, earning his first two caps for his country during the international break.
But Saliba knows that won't happen unless he plays regular first-team football as he warned Arteta that he doesn't want to return to Arsenal to sit on the bench or play for the U23s. Asked about the prospect of returning to the Emirates in a World Cup year, Saliba told L’Equipe: "Of course, I can’t just be on the bench at Arsenal and be happy.
"I want to play as a starter. After that, if I get into the rotation as a substitute, it’s not like staying with the Under-23s and never being in the squad."
Asked about Saliba following his call-up for France, Arteta said on Thursday: "We are really aware of what he’s doing, how he’s developing. He’s our player and we are really happy with the decision that we made.
"The exposure, minutes, responsibility and growth at his age is something we could not guarantee him this season. It makes a lot of sense what is happening with him and we are glad to see him the way he is improving."
Will William Saliba be a regular in Mikel Arteta's side next season? Comment below
football.london claims Arsenal plan on holding preliminary talks with Saliba over a new contract in the summer with the player making it clear he wants to prove himself in England's top flight. Marseille president Pablo Longoria has announced his intentions to sign the young defender on a permanent basis in the summer, however.
"It's a three-way question. For the club that owns the player, Arsenal, the player and Marseille," Longoria told Le10Sport when speaking about the possibility of signing Saliba, who has two years left on his current deal in north London.
"We have to see our possibilities. He is very happy here, we are very satisfied with his performance. William is one of the best young defenders I have seen in my career. After all, everything depends on the three parties. It’s a matter of market value. But we have extraordinary relations with Arsenal."
