Arsenal loanee William Saliba looks to have had quite a mixed game in Europa League action last night.
The 20-year-old has been steadily impressing at Marseille since leaving Arsenal to return to France on a temporary basis this past summer.
But it appears that the big Gunners defender struggled in Thursday’s 0-0 draw against Lazio in Europe’s secondary competition.
Saliba, who cost Arsenal £27 million in 2019 under Unai Emery, was given a 3/10 rating for his display by GFFN.
Here’s what they wrote about the big centre-back.
“Lacked gumption in his performance. He was bullied and pulled too easily out of position by Immobile while also frustratingly wasting possession at times. Notably, he was too easily outmuscled by Immobile for a big second half chance which he blazed over.”
It’s quite a damning verdict but a number of Arsenal fans on social media were praising Saliba’s display, hence the mixed recepetion.
Needed?
His parent club are in action at home to Aston Villa tonight and another shoddy defensive display will only add further questions over why Mikel Arteta loaned him out.
The Emirates Stadium side are 12th in the Premier League and the defending of Ben White and Gabriel in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace earlier this week was less than ideal, with both questionable for the two goals Arteta’s troops conceded.
Even if GFFN got their assessment of Saliba spot on, there’s still enough evidence from his Ligue 1 form to suggest that the Spanish coach really could’ve done with his services this season.
Hopefully for Arsenal and Arteta, we aren’t talking about Saliba – who hasn’t played a senior game for the English side yet – again after the visit of Villa.
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