William Saliba’s Arsenal future; what defender and Mikel Arteta have said amid exit reports

William Saliba’s future appears to be up in the air as the new season nears.

The centre-back still hasn’t made a single Premier League appearance since his 2019 arrival for a reported fee of £27million.

The Frenchman has completed three loan spells during that time, spending last season with Marseille in Ligue 1.

This summer, he has returned to north London, but there are fresh reports he could leave the club permanently.

Here is what we know so far.

Latest report

According to a report from The Independent, Saliba could walk away from the Emirates Stadium unless he gets first team opportunities this season.

The centre-back is said to be growing impatient amid his struggled to break into first team plans since joining the Gunners.

And the report claims he will leave this summer unless he gets regular football.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid and Marseille are being linked with a permanent move.

What has Arteta said?

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta spoke about Saliba in late May amid the defender’s impressive performances for Marseille, helping the French club to the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

“He needs to come back,” said the Spaniard. “He has the experience and environment necessary to be competitive for us.

“If he had stayed with us this year, with a Premier League game per week with Ben White and Gabriel, he wouldn’t have had half the game time he got at Marseille, that’s certain.

“For his growth and what he can do next year, it wouldn’t have been good. William wasn’t with us because he wouldn’t have got the required time on the pitch to gain experience. That’s it, there’s nothing else.”

What has Saliba said?

Saliba has also spoken about his current situation, revealing that he has spoken with his boss during the club’s tour of America.

“We spoke a little bit on Monday and will speak more,” Saliba told the club website.

“As you know he is not a giant, he needs to improve, his crossing needs to improve, the timings to arrive in attacking positions, but he is comfortable with the ball, he doesn’t make many mistakes, he is solid, reads the game well and is a player we can trust.

“You can see his debut was against Liverpool and then the matches he played are normally matches of responsibility and quality of the opponent. He is a player we trust. He is developing quite well, good kid. Humble kid, so all good.”

Mertesacker’s thoughts

Arsenal academy manager and former defender Per Mertesacker has backed Saliba to make an impression this summer.

“What William has done in Marseille is magnificent,” he told Hayters TV. “So for us to really test him this summer and see what’s best for him.

“But he has clearly made his mark at a young age and playing in a major league in Europe – he’s been one of the best players in Europe. So why not use him?”