Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has opened up regarding William Saliba and his links over a potential exit this summer.
The Gunners boss has claimed that the young Arsenal ace ‘never wanted to leave’ the club this summer in the window. Saliba joined Arsenal from Saint Etienne about three years ago and is touted to be one of the finest sensations.
However, the player has been linked with a move away from the Emirates after spending three loan spells in France. But the gaffer has now come out in open and has cleared the air regarding his future with Arsenal.
Arsenal boss opens up over Saliba’s future
Arsenal have started their campaign off to a terrific start and most notably Saliba made his mark with the club. Moreover, the 21-year-old was named man of the match in his debut against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their 2-0 win.
Moreover, his temporary loan spell with Marseille last season was much admired and was also linked to a permanent switch. However, Saliba ended up staying with the Gooners and now it appears that the player could get regular game time.
Manager Arteta cleared the air regarding the potential exit ahead of the clash against Leicester City. He said-
“The reality is he was very convinced and determined to come here.
“He had no other choice. He never suggested anything else. From the first conversations that we had with him, you could see that he only had one intention – to come here and start to play football matches for Arsenal.”
Moroever, Arteta also admitted that at 21, Saliba is likely to make mistakes but is open to grooming him. He further said-
“Mistakes are a part of football at 21 and 35, they’re going to happen.
“The mistakes that we want to happen are, as much as possible, on the training pitch. And if they’re going to happen on the pitch, that they don’t cost you goals.
That’s the objective. Inevitably things will happen.
“I always say, especially with young players and the development portfolio that we have in our squad, you have to pay a bill. That bill is that at some stage they’re going to make mistakes, they’re going to experience things for the first time, and they have to go through that process.”
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