William Saliba’s Arsenal future continues to be the focus of many discussions surrounding the club’s summer plans. The Gunners possess one of the most exciting young defenders in the league and risk seeing him leave if he isn’t given the opportunity to play.
Speaking during the international break, Saliba admitted he was happy with Marseille where he currently plays on loan from Arsenal. Telling RMC Sport, “I don’t hide the fact that I feel good here but I don’t know my future."
He however admitted that it felt nice knowing that the club had sent kind messages congratulating him on his French call-up. “Yes, they sent me messages,’ he said. “The former director for example, and on social media, it’s nice.”
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football.london spoke exclusively to Saliba’s compatriot and former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit. He said that he has seen the success of the young defender, demonstrating the level of impression he is having on his wider audience.
“To be honest with you when Saliba left the club and when he went to Marseille, I agree with you, he’s been a hit. Just like [Matteo] Guendouzi. Guendouzi has been a major hit since he arrived in Marseille,” said Petit.
“I remember what he said after he left Arsenal, he was so frustrated. [Saliba] said, ‘They never gave me the chance to show my qualities on the pitch,’” Petit added.
This of course references the interview Saliba did upon joining Nice on loan in January of 2021 where he said, “The coach immediately told me that I was not ready. I would have at least liked to have a chance to rediscover my rhythm. But this is football, it’s like that.”
Petit then flipped the question towards us, “Do you think Saliba will be able to come back to Arsenal? If at the end of the season for example Marseille will play in the Champions League next season, do you think they will convince him to come back to Arsenal?”
We responded by pointing out a lot may rest on when the reported transfer ban will affect Marseille. But admitted the comfortability at OM and the confidence they have put in him is nothing like he has ever had at Arsenal.
However, we felt it important to point out that with Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White forming such a strong partnership this season, the loan for Saliba was the right move. Having played just six months of consistent senior football last season, after his loan spell with Saint-Etienne was impacted by injury and the pandemic, he needed a full year of regular game time to convince Arteta.
Petit however interjected saying, “But to convince Arteta he will need regular games [at Arsenal]. Does he have the guarantee that if he comes back to Arsenal, he will play every single game? I’m not sure about that.”
“He is in the first eleven team with Marseille, he is playing every single game. He is probably the [most used]. As I said, if you ask him to come back to Arsenal then he will need guarantees.”
Arsenal will hope to have the benefit of offering Champions League football to the 20-year-old. The increase in the number of games will put stress on Arsenal’s thin squad although it is likely to be reinforced in the summer.
Saliba, combined with White and Gabriel would form a solid group of central defensive options. There would be plenty of opportunities to play but Petit believes that greater guarantees would be needed to convince the young defender if a future is right for him in north London.
“If you tell him I want you to come back because of what you’ve done for Marseille, this is not enough for me. If I am Saliba, this is not enough. Because this is my career as well. I am very happy to be an Arsenal player, but I want you to show me confidence and on top of it more importantly I want you to play me. I don’t want to be on the bench because when I look at White and Gabriel, they are very good together so it would be difficult to be in the middle of them.
“Even knowing that Marseille is playing with different systems tactically, he can play with three in defence. Or four, or five in defence. He adapts himself so much. But now, Arsenal with Arteta their system is the same game after game. So, there is so many questions, if I am Saliba I am asking so many questions. Maybe I would love to come back to England and play for Arsenal but there is no guarantee of that.”
football.london understands that preliminary talks over a new contract are likely. The club is to review Saliba’s position in the coming weeks. His deal will expire in 2024 having still to make his senior competitive debut.
Arsenal must get this right. The club cannot afford to lose a player that could be so vital for the team’s future. As Petit pointed out at the beginning, Guendouzi is already proving his doubters wrong. The Gunners cannot recover that situation specifically, but they can learn from it.
The summer will be a test not only of who Arteta can convince to join the club to further his goals, but it will assess his ability to give another chance to the Frenchman in the near future. Should Saliba wish to move on, the Gunners need to make a profit on the player as a minimum requirement of his departure. Fingers crossed, however, Saliba stays and flourishes. You can watch the full interview with Emmanuel Petit with the link here.
Emmanuel Petit was speaking to Football.London in conjunction with Lord Ping.
