In a recent interview, on-loan Arsenal centre-half William Saliba talked about his performances in the current season and his future with his parent club Arsenal.
The French defender initially moved to the Emirates Stadium in a £27million transfer back in the summer of 2019. But is yet to make a competitive outing for the Gunners having spent the past two years back on loan.
Questions were raised among Arsenal fans when the 20-year-old was put out on loan to a third different club earlier this year. Saliba was given the number four shirt when he returned to north London in 2020. But he saw his No 4 shirt stripped off him by Arsenal for £50m arrival Ben White. But reports coming out of England suggest that the centre-half is still a part of Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s long-term plans.
Marseille started the season quite well. But the performances have dropped in the past few months. The club suffered only one defeat in 13 league games before February 1st. But since then they have suffered three defeats in six league games. Saliba has been present everywhere in Marseille’s backline. He has made a total of 38 appearances across all competitions this term. (stats via Transfermarkt)
Talking to RMC Sport (via Sport Witness) about his recent performances, Saliba said:
“Since February, I’ve been very average,”
“I know that I need to work, I’m a young player, but it’s no excuse. I’m going to give everything to get back to my good level.”
When asked about Marseille’s interest in potentially keeping him at the club beyond the season, Saliba responded with:
“We’ll sit down at the end of the season”.
Are Marseille planning to keep William Saliba beyond the season?
According to Football.London, Saliba would prefer to fight for his place and stay with his parent club Arsenal rather than join the French outfit on a permanent deal next summer. But despite that reports coming out of France suggest that the French club are keen on keeping Saliba beyond the current season on a permanent basis.
In a recent interview, Marseille chief Pablo Longoria talking about William Saliba’s future with the French club said:
“It’s a three-way question,” “For the player’s owning club – Arsenal, the player, and Olympique de Marseille.
“We have to see our possibilities. He is very good here, we are very satisfied with his performance. “William Saliba is one of the best young defenders I’ve seen in my career.
“After all, everything depends on the three parties. It’s a matter of market value. But we have extraordinary relations with Arsenal.”
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