William Saliba was supposed to be a key member of the Arsenal first team this season after he joined them from Saint Etienne last summer.
The French teenager was expected to become a regular starter when he joined the club, but Mikel Arteta has realised that he still has some things to perfect in his defending.
He was expected to be sent out on loan by the Gunners for this season with Fulham and Brentford reportedly keen to sign him temporarily.
Both teams have until 16th on this month to complete the temporary move, but it seems that Arsenal has had a change of heart.
The Athletic claims that the defender is now expected to stay at the Emirates until at least the January transfer window.
It claims that Arteta has changed his mind about sending him out on loan and the Frenchman is expected to remain at the Emirates for now.
He will struggle to play for the Gunners who have so many options in central defence, Arteta didn’t even trust him to play in the Carabao Cup and now the Gunners are in the business end of the competition, he will likely still be overlooked.
OT.. Eddie’s done it!!!! 👏
This is one of the craziest thing I have seen at Arsenal and there have been many. If the comments attributed to Arteta about Saliba’s defending are correct then I have serious questions about Mikel’s judgement. From most reports from fans and football pundits alike, Saliba is one of the brightest prospect as far as CD goes, so he MUST be really bad if he cant at least make a squad with players like Mustafi, Holding, Luiz, Socratis and Chambers. It was great business getting Partey, but the right side of the defense with Bellerin and whoever plays RCD is still a huge concern,
Chill out mate..
You’re going to trust fans and pundits judgement over the manager that sees him everyday in training?
The manager knows better and knows how best to manager him as he’s still a youngster at 19 for Christ’s sake!!!
A Manager that signed soares, Mari and re-signed David kuiz.? Aisde probably the aging Luiz, the rest are terrible
Content matters buddy.
You haven’t seen much of Mari, plus Soares was signed due to the Maitland Niles situation earlier this year. David Luiz brings the experience you won’t easily find for the likes of Saliba and Gabriel.
Next time think about what you say, use logic.
Calm down and let Arteta(who knows how to manage better than any fan or pundit) manage Saliba the way he sees fit.
Because it’s fans like you who hype him up so much who will add pressure and blast him when he doesn’t perform to your expectations.
Hopefully Saliba improves in training and plays the way Arteta wants him to, because he is certainly a good prospect and talent for Arsenal. Its good that he remains with Arsenal and under the watchful eye of MA.
Saliba indeed is a good youngster. Now he should prove to the manager what he is. Its good that he is staying atleast until january.
Personally, just my theory though. I think it is much of Arteta’s man management technique than playing ability.
The fans and pundits have hyped him into expecting to play regularly but Arteta wants him to know this is a top team and that he needs to work hard to make the team. Telling him he isn’t good enough in some areas is Arteta just trying to let him know he is good only when he says he is and that he has to impress him to make the team.
To me this is what it is because as an arsenal fan I know we have trusted players with less talent especially in that defensive department.
Arteta is just trying to avoid a player giving him attitude when he doesn’t play instead of working harder to impress the manager. I can bet you that with the threat of almost loaning him out, Saliba already understands Arteta is in charge and if he says you are not good enough then you are not, no matter what comes out of the media.
Otherwise can you explain the fact that this same Arteta blocked him from playing in a cup final all in the name of having him fit for the upcoming season.