William Saliba has been a very hot topic at Arsenal over the last few weeks. The young Frenchman joined us two years ago, but he’s yet to play a single competitive minute of football in the famous red and white.
Arsenal fans were desperate to see him in action last season, but Mikel Arteta wasn’t convinced that he was ready for the Premier League. He was sent out on loan to Nice in January and he instantly became one of their best players.
He is due at London Colney next week for pre-season, but his France call-up to their Olympics squad was set to hurt his chances at Arsenal. Thankfully now, he doesn’t have to worry about Tokyo anymore.
Arsenal defender William Saliba withdraws from France’s Olympics squad
The French Football Federation announced today that Saliba has decided against going to the Olympics later this month. He is now set to participate in full pre-season training with the Gunners, and that could potentially change his Arsenal fortunes.
The Frenchman has struggled to convince Arteta that he’s ready. The Arsenal boss is desperate to bring in Ben White from Brighton, and that will surely hurt Saliba’s chances of game time at the Emirates next season.
There have been rumours about Saliba going out on another loan deal this summer, and that angered Arsenal supporters (Read more). That plan could potentially change in the coming weeks if the young defender impresses Arteta in pre-season training.
Arsenal will face Hibs and Rangers in Scotland before heading to America to take on Inter Milan and one of Everton or Millonarios in the Florida Cup. There are the Mind Series charity games against Chelsea and Spurs coming up as well next month, and Saliba will likely be given a chance to prove himself there.
If the talented young defender can replicate the same kind of form that he showed at Nice, Arteta will have no choice but to keep him around. That would be amazing for Saliba and for Gooners, who can’t wait to see him in action in Arsenal’s colours.
Here’s how a few Arsenal fans reacted to the news
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