Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta claims that William Saliba is in line for a first-team role this season, with the centre-back reportedly ready to quit the club if he is not made a regular starter. Gunners fans have been left to sweat on Saliba’s future over the past few months, with the Frenchman in demand after a loan spell with Marseille last season.
Saliba has never made a competitive appearance for Arsenal, despite signing from Saint-Etienne in 2019. In the three seasons since, the Gunners have opted to further his development by organising a sequence of loan spells in Ligue 1.
A season under Jorge Sampaoli at Marseille last term was Saliba’s best to date, and he became a full French international while racking up 52 appearances in all competitions. With Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes already laying claim to the two centre-back spots at the Emirates, it remains to be seen whether the 21-year-old can force his way in.
The Independent claim that he will ask for a permanent exit if Arteta fails to provide the necessary assurances. With pressure mounting, the boss addressed the situation before a pre-season friendly with Everton in the early hours of Sunday morning.
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Saliba started the clash with Everton alongside Gabriel, with Cedric and Nuno Tavares making up the back four. Two quickfire goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka were enough to seal a 2-0 victory, which should boost morale ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Having already welcomed four players this summer, Arteta could land another by early next week as reports indicate that a £30million move for Manchester City star Oleksandr Zinchenko is nearing completion.
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