Yohan Cabaye praises teenage Arsenal defender William Saliba

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed in the Premier League as a player coming in from France.

That is the task facing William Saliba at Arsenal next season when he returns from his loan at St Etienne and he has told the Ligue 1 Podcast he expects him to be a big success.

He said: “He’s like a big man. He’s only 18, but he’s like a big man. The way he plays, him and Wesley Fofana are fantastic.

“The future looks bright for them and I hope they continue in the same way. He’s strong and hopefully he will adapt himself really quickly. In a club like Arsenal with French players I think he can do really well.”

TBR’s View – Saliba could be a major boost for Arteta

Arsenal have older heads like David Luiz and Sokratis who are capable of decent performances but have a mistake in them.

They have younger players like Rob Holding and Calum Chambers, who have had their injuries and have potential but are not as exciting as Saliba.

Cabaye’s words hint at a maturity and level of quality right now which could see him come in next term and lift Arteta’s backline to a new level.

That’s what he needs because there has been mediocrity in the Gunners backline for far too long and there’s only so much a manager can do with the same faces that underperformed for Unai Emery.