William Saliba admits it was ‘really, really hard’ to be unable to play for Arsenal during the Premier League run-in last season.
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Having had to wait three years to make his Arsenal debut, Saliba became a key part of Mikel Arteta’s side in 2022/23 as the Gunners mounted a surprise title challenge.
The centre-back played almost every minute of the first 27 league games but suffered a back injury in the Europa League loss to Sporting Lisbon in March which ended his season early.
In his absence, Arsenal’s form deteriorated, winning just five of their 11 remaining games and keeping just two clean sheets in that time, with results including heavy defeats to Manchester City and Brighton as well as a 3-3 draw against Southampton.
This all allowed City to overtake and win the league and an eventual treble, while Gunners fans were left to ponder what could have been.
Opening up on his injury woe, Saliba said: ‘Honestly, it was so, so, so hard to let my team play without me. Football is like this but it was really, really hard to not help my team in these moments.
‘It was very hard because it was the last two months. It’s the moment when every game is so important. It was really, really hard, but you know when you have an injury, you have to learn and come back stronger.
‘And now I can’t wait to play again. I’m so, so hungry to play on. I can’t wait to be on the pitch.
‘I had a little break and after I went to Marbella to do my rehab with the staff. It was good but of course I was waiting for the pre-season.
‘I’m so, so, so hungry because I didn’t play for four months and I didn’t help my team. So I hope I won’t have an injury this season, I want to be here all this season with the team.’
The 22-year-old has nearly recovered from the injury now and in news that has delighted fans, he has signed a new long-term contract with the club after speculation suggested he could leave.
The France international added: ‘I’m so happy and I want to thank everyone in the club. I spoke with the coach, with Edu, with my agent, but it was an easy decision to extend my contract and that’s it.
‘I think we can achieve everything. Of course, it’s easy to say this, but we have the coach, we have the character, we have the players and every year the team gets stronger. We have better players with a good mentality.’
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