‘The best I’ve seen in my career’: President blown away by Arsenal loanee who has never played under Arteta

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Marseille president Pablo Longoria has lavished praise on Arsenal defender William Saliba and the work he has done in France during his loan spell.

The young Frenchman joined the Gunners back in 2019 when Unai Emery was still at the helm. Arsenal splashed £27 million (Goal) on the then-18-year-old, and everyone expected him to be a real star.

Emery was shown the door later that year and Mikel Arteta came in. The Spaniard welcomed Saliba from his loan spell in 2021 and just as Arsenal fans were getting excited to see the young defender in action, Arteta decided he was not ready.

After not playing a single minute of senior competitive football under the Arsenal boss in the first half of the 2020/21 season, Saliba joined Nice on loan. His impressive spell earned him a temporary move to Marseille in the following summer and he has been brilliant there as well.

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Longoria: Arsenal defender William Saliba is among the best young players I’ve ever seen

Saliba’s loan spell is coming to an end but his future is still up in the air. Marseille would certainly love to sign him but their president, Longoria, is wary of the fact that he’ll cost a fortune.

Asked about re-signing Saliba, he said, as per Le10 Sport: “It’s a three-way question. For the player’s ownig club, Arsenal, the player and OM.

“We have to see our possibilities. He is very good here, we are very satisfied with his performance.

“William is one of the best young defenders I’ve seen in my career. After all, it all depends on the three parties. It’s a matter of market value. But we have extraordinary relations with Arsenal.”

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Mikel Arteta has received a ton of criticism for his treatment of William Saliba at Arsenal. Not giving the Frenchman a single minute of game time has irked many fans, but the Gunners boss could appease everyone this summer.

Saliba is expected to return from his loan spell at Marseille at the end of the season. Arsenal have already lost Calum Chambers, while Rob Holding and Pablo Mari could potentially leave as well.

That opens the door for Saliba in the squad and it will not be a surprise to see Arsenal extend his deal and keep him at the club beyond the end of this summer’s transfer window.

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