‘Really tricky’: Arteta has just said he had concerns about one Arsenal player, now thinks he’s ‘exceptional’

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Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has conceded that there were moments of concern when it came to the future of William Saliba at the club.

Saliba spent the first few seasons of his time as an Arsenal player out on loan. There were rumours of discontent over those loan spells and at one point, it looked like the Gunners might lose Saliba before he even got going.

However, last season’s brilliant spell with Marseille convinced Arsenal this is a player they need. And Mikel Arteta has told Sky Sports that he’s delighted that those initial worries have been cast aside when it comes to Saliba.

“I’m really pleased and I was at many moments, concerned. Because it was really tricky the way the relationship was established. We bought him and sent him on loan. He came back, he thought he was ready and we sent him back on loan,” Arteta told Sky, via Football Daily.

“A player of that potential that had recognition externally and how that was going to affect our relationship. But I was convinced that that period was going to benefit much more than staying here. And the moment I saw some signals of what he could do then we had no doubt he was a player for us and he was really humble in putting it aside and saying ‘ok, I understand, we can put that aside and now it’s time to perform’. He’s been exceptional.”

TBR’s View: Saliba An Arsenal Superstar

William Saliba has gone from never playing a game to being the main man in the back four for Arsenal, such has been his impact in such a short space of time.

The Frenchman has been outstanding and it’s interesting to hear Mikel Arteta say there were concerns in the beginning.

Now, though, everyone is reaping the rewards and seeing what a fine player Saliba is.