‘Music to my ears’: Some Arsenal fans react to Mikel Arteta’s comments on William Saliba

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Mikel Arteta has delivered an encouraging update on William Saliba during his pre-Dundalk press conference – as per FourFourTwo – suggesting the Frenchman is close to making his debut, and Arsenal supporters have reacted on Twitter.

Saliba, 19, completed a permanent move to Arsenal in the summer of 2019 before returning on loan to St. Etienne during the 2019-20 season – in which he was in and out of the side. He has returned to Arsenal, but is yet to make his debut.

Supporters had backed Saliba to make the difference in defence, but Arteta instead chose to sign Gabriel from Lille and has used the likes of David Luiz and Rob Holding over Saliba this season. Even Shkodran Mustafi played against Leicester last time out.

Arsenal boss Arteta was asked about Saliba ahead of Thursday night’s match against Dundalk, in which Saliba is ineligible due to being left out of the Europa League squad. Arteta gave an encouraging update on the centre-back.

“Yes, he’s in a much better place,” Arteta said. “He’s feeling a lot more confident around the place, his language is improving and he’s starting to understand much better what we’re doing physically.

“He’s played a few games with the under-23’s which he needed because he didn’t play any football in the last seven or eight months. Things are progressively getting better and better.”

The Gunners are somewhat thin at centre-back given Arteta’s preference to play with a back three. Luiz, Holding and Pablo Mari remain injured, improving Saliba’s chances of finally making his Arsenal debut – almost 18 months since joining the club.

Arsenal supporters have reacted on Twitter to Arteta’s comments about the defender – who was signed by Unai Emery, and many are delighted to hear that Saliba’s situation is beginning to improve behind the scenes.

https://twitter.com/AFCBezza/status/1321583140838793216

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