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Rio Ferdinand comments on William Saliba of Arsenal

Photo by Visionhaus
Photo by Visionhaus
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Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

Rio Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE that William Saliba has been a waste of money for Arsenal.

The former Manchester United defender has questioned Saliba, and has said that it has not been working out for the defender at Arsenal.

The 19-year-old defender has joined Nice on loan from the Gunners for the rest of the season.

Arsenal technical director Edu has told the club’s official website that the Frenchman has “a huge amount of talent and potential” and has admitted that he “experienced a very challenging time last year”.

Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE: “Saliba, what’s happened with him? That’s a waste of money, it seems at the moment. I don’t know what’s happening.”

Staying positive

Saliba could not make a single appearance in the Premier League for Arsenal this season, and manager Mikel Arteta also left the 19-year-old defender out of his Europa League squad.

The youngster – who officially joined Arsenal in the summer of 2019 from Saint-Etienne for £27 million, as reported by The Guardian, and stayed on loan at the French club last season, will now hope to kickstart his career at Nice.

The Frenchman is only 19 years of age, and he could be in a better position to challenge for a first-team spot at Arsenal next season.

If Saliba gets to play regularly for Nice in the second half of the season, then he could get back to his best, and Arsenal would benefit from it.

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Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images