Martin Keown has been speaking to the Mirror about William Saliba and his situation at Arsenal, as the defender impresses on loan at Marseille.
What’s the story?
Well, Keown believes Saliba is good enough to fight for a first-team place at Arsenal, but backed Mikel Arteta’s decision to loan him out.
The 55-year-old believes the Frenchman is ‘doing exceptionally well’ in Ligue 1, and the experience gained will be ‘really good’ for him.
Keown said: “This season will be really good for him, we can see what a quality player he is. Hopefully, he gets another chance to prove he can play in that first team.
“It seems like Gabriel and White are the main two, but Saliba is doing exceptionally well. It will be healthy if he comes back and creates competition and gives tough decisions for the manager. The top clubs have that, look at Man City with Laporte, Diaz and Stones.”
We can’t argue with a word he said.
Saliba wouldn’t have seen much first-team action at the Emirates Stadium this season, as Ben White and Gabriel Magalhães are thriving.
As a result, it’s good that the 20-year-old can test himself in a top division on a weekly basis, rather than spend his time on the bench in north London.
Arsenal must use William Saliba next season
Even at the age of 20, Saliba looks to be a better option for Arteta’s system than Rob Holding and Pablo Mari are.
The £27m wonderkid is quick, brave in possession, and isn’t afraid to drive forward like White has done since his move from Brighton.
Saliba also proved he has a gritty side to his defending recently, as he somehow managed to keep Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi quiet as Marseille drew 0-0 with Paris Saint-Germain.
He is a fine player, who has already amassed 72 senior appearances, which is fantastic for his age.
It amazes us that Saliba has never actually made a single competitive appearance for the Gunners since Arteta replaced Unai Emery.
If Arteta still doesn’t think Saliba is ready when he returns to London Colney in the summer, we will be shocked.
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