Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal youngster William Saliba has improved in a ‘massive’ way in recent months – but claimed a decision has not yet been taken on whether to loan him out in January.
This is Saliba’s first season as a Gunners player after being loaned back to Saint Etienne following a £27 million transfer in the summer of 2019, under Raul Sanllehi’s tenure.
But so far it hasn’t been the stuff of fairytales for the 19-year-old defender, who hasn’t even made a senior debut under the Arsenal boss in a competitive game yet.
Most of Saliba’s action has come in the reserves – for whom he was sent off this week – but Arteta feels that the French powerhouse is in a much better place both physically and mentally, though does not know whether he’ll be staying in North London beyond January.
He told the club’s official website: “To be fair, he’s made massive improvements in the last few months and it’s been a really tricky situation for him. As I mentioned before, designed a pathway for him and there were a lot of things that happened to him in his personal life and professionally as well. Now we’ve made some steps forwards, he’s working really hard.”
Asked whether he could leave on loan next month, the Spaniard added: “It’s something that we are discussing at the moment, the best thing for us to do. It will be decided soon.”
For the sake of Saliba’s season, a loan is essential.
It’ll be such a waste if the youngster doesn’t make a single competitive appearance for Arsenal this season, after being a big player for Saint Etienne last term.
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