Report: William Saliba will play for Arsenal vs Everton tonight

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Football London has revealed that William Saliba will make his second debut for Arsenal tonight in their pre-season game against Everton in Baltimore.

The Gunners signed the talented French defender when he was a teenager back in 2019. Unai Emery’s Arsenal paid £27 million for him (Goal), a sizeable amount for someone who was just 18 at the time.

Saliba, branded as ‘extraordinary’ by Matteo Guendouzi, returned to North London after spending the 2019/20 campaign on loan at Saint-Etienne. Arteta started him in a pre-season game against MK Dons in August 2020, and the Frenchman looked really rusty.

The Arsenal boss then decided he wasn’t ready for the first team, and Saliba has since been sent out on loan twice – first to Nice in the second half of the 2020/21 season and then to Marseille for the whole of last campaign

Now, the 21-year-old is finally set to wear the red and white of Arsenal again.

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William Saliba will play for Arsenal vs Everton tonight

Arsenal take on Everton at midnight (UK time) at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, and Gunners fans are really excited to see some of their new players.

Gabriel Jesus is expected to play a part, as are Marquinhos and Matt Turner, while Fabio Vieira is still nursing a minor injury. The likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are also back after not being available for the Gunners’ game against Nurnberg last week.

What could be more exciting than all of the above is the prospect of seeing Saliba play. The report claims that the young Frenchman will be given an opportunity against the Toffees tonight – for only the second time since he joined the Gunners back in 2019.

After three years of frustration, we must say, Saliba deserves his chance.

• Photo: Arsenal youngster spotted in pre-season, Arteta will hand him a big role next season

The Frenchman has dropped a hint about his future

Despite returning to Arsenal for pre-season, rumours continue to link Saliba with a move away from Arsenal.

The Independent claimed yesterday that the Frenchman will demand a transfer if he’s not guaranteed regular time. Marseille and Atletico Madrid are both said to be keen to sign him.

Arsenal then released an interview of Saliba on their official website, and the young defender suggested that his plan is to stay and fight for a place at the club next season.

Saliba said: “My plan is to fight and work with the team, win as much as possible, and grow more. It feels good to be back and starting pre-season. I’m so excited to continue training and playing in the friendly games. It’s important to be here with the fans, as well as my teammates.

“I hope we’ll enjoy some good training and games which is important before the start of the season.”

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