Before the season kicked off, Arsenal fans were looking forward to seeing William Saliba partner Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of Mikel Arteta’s defence.
Both young centre-backs cost the Gunners £27 million and although this is Saliba’s first season in North London, he’s been on their books for over a year after being loaned straight back to Saint-Etienne.
But Arteta has made Arsenal fans wait before unleashing the 19-year-old powerhouse, who stands at 6’4.
The French defender hasn’t made the squad for either of his side’s two Premier League games but, with a League Cup clash with Leicester City tonight, Arteta might give him a competitive debut.
The Spanish manager is likely to ring the changes and he certainly should give Saliba a run-out.
Although it’s definitely wise to ease him into senior football this season, we’re talking about a player who helped get his old side to a French Cup final last season, starting three of their five games before the defeat by Paris Saint-Germain, at which point he was already in England.
Despite being a teenager, Saliba already has a good bit of experience with regards to senior football and Arteta is going to have to use him eventually.
The youngster played for Arsenal’s Under-23s last week, a day before the senior outfit beat West Ham United. He must be champing at the bit to face Leicester and it’s time that Arteta gives him an opportunity.
Arsenal fans haven’t been waiting two games to see him; they’ve been waiting since July of 2019 and tonight might be the night that he makes his competitive debut.
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