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Nice manager reacts to William Saliba’s debut following Arsenal loan exit

Photo by PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images
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Arsenal had high hopes for defender William Saliba, but Mikel Arteta doesn’t seem all that convinced.

The Gunners forked out £27million to sign Saliba from Saint-Etienne, before loaning him straight back to the French side.

He was finally able to begin his Arsenal career over the summer, but he has found like under Arteta somewhat frustrating.

Saliba hasn’t played in the Premier League and wasn’t even registered for Europa League action, meaning he has been forced to play in the Under-23’s.

With the January window open, Arsenal have now decided to send Saliba out on loan again, this time allowing him to join Nice until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old made his Nice debut against Brest on Wednesday night, but couldn’t help Nice avoid a 2-0 defeat.

William Saliba arsenal
Photo by FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images

After the game, boss Adrian Ursea told Nice’s official website that he thought Saliba’s debut was ‘very interesting’.

Ursea felt Saliba’s debut was ‘very encouraging’ because of the personality he showed just days after arriving with the Ligue 1 side, which should encourage Arsenal fans.

“Very interesting,” said Ursea. “When you have a young player of his age – almost 20 years old – who has just arrived into a new squad and who shows such personality in the middle of a defence that he has known for one day, I think it’s very encouraging for what is to come,” he added.

william saliba arsenal
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images