4 ways Arsenal can line up with William Saliba next season

4. Quite Simply, William Saliba Doesn’t Start for Arsenal

How about a lineup with no Saliba in it?

The view on the Frenchman coming back from his loan spell in Marseille is that there is now a rival for two spots in the team. While the competition is excellent, he needs to be viewed as a complimentary piece.

What’s better than having two high quality centre-backs? Having three, of course. Including one who can fill in for either position with ease.

Holding is a commendable deputy with his fine reading of the game and excellent low block defending, but as a direct substitute for Gabriel or White he lacks the ability on the ball that the two possess. Saliba is the epitome of a modern central defender, someone who effectively looks like a central midfielder converted into defence.

Hoping there will be Champions League football to savour next season, or at the very least Europa League action, the increase in games will hopefully be double figures so long as the team doesn’t bow out of cups early, and while that isn’t a huge amount, the addition of another high quality option to add depth in key areas is crucial.

Like the rest, Saliba will have to earn his chance. He has to prove himself in training and make the most of his opportunities. If he’s better than what Arsenal have, he won’t be on the bench for long.

Whether he’s willing to ride that out, by the point it will have been three years since he joined the club, is another matter.