Paul Merson warns William Saliba about getting into a crisis at Arsenal when he joins.
William Saliba could struggle to convince Mikel Arteta for a place in the first team next season, according to Paul Merson.
The former Arsenal star reckons that Saliba could struggle to get Arteta’s attention because he wasn’t signed by the Spaniard.
He speculates that Arteta may have made a move for Pablo Mari because he wanted to sign his own type of player.
Saliba joined Arsenal last summer but the Gunners sent him back to Saint Etienne to continue his development.
He remains an important member of the French side’s first team and was at Arsenal recuperating from injuries earlier in the season.
He reportedly impressed the club’s coaches with his physical attribute and they are looking forward to having him as part of their team.
However, Merson predicts that it may not be all sunshine and rainbows for the French teenager.
Merson said sd quoted by the Mirror: “The defence is going to take time. He’s brought two defenders in with Cedric and Pablo Mari, and he’s got William Saliba coming in from France in the summer.
“Part of me wonders whether he wanted Mari because Saliba isn’t his signing, and there could be some conflict there. But he’s made good signings.”
Mari is set to start for Arsenal in any of their next two games and if he impresses enough to earn a long term deal, Saliba would have another player to contend with at the Emirates.
The Man City financial doping revelation and Chelsea’s transfer bans means we must revise everything about the PL CĹ and FA Cup over the past 15 years. It’s a mammoth task. Liverpool (Klopp) once Man Utd (Ferg and Mou ) Arsenal (wenger) and Spurs twice (under Pochettino) were denied titles by Chelsea and City’s financial doping. For Arsenal this must credit Wenger with two more titles and for Emery CL qualifications in both the PL and by an El win. All the players denied PL victories and CL qualification must be viewed in a more favourable light also. I expect Arsenal to seek substantial compensation asap.
With City and Chelsea being reigned in this improves Arsenal’s title winning chances immeasurably .
If saliba is class arteta will work with him. As far as I am concerned david luiz and sokratis are past their best and the future if our defence is holding, saliba and chambers. These 3 CBs can be built around and taught to defend the arteta way.
Next season will be where arteta shows what his team and tactics are made of
Add Mari to that mix and we have the makings of a good defence with which we can mount a serious challenge. We must forget about going into a season with makeshift and/or sub-standard CBs. There will be opportunity for every one of them to get enough game time. CB seems to be the most injury prone position in our club.
Arteta wanted Mari because of the lack of quality of the CBS currently available to him.As usual Merson speaks without much thought.
Is there no end to the utter Bollox Merson spouts. All those drugs and alcohol sure took their affect
It’s just an opinion, like yours, don’t lose your sh*t over it mate!