%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
William Saliba commits future to Arsenal
The immediate future of William Saliba’s career has developed into an unnecessary saga that could be compared to a hugely less significant iteration of LeBron James’ ‘The Decision’.
Back in 2010, the face of the NBA pledged his future to the Miami Heat in an ESPN special that received a ton of backlash. The sport was slowly evolving into reality TV, some argued.
On Sunday, Arsenal defender Saliba sat in front of the cameras for an interview with Telefoot to confirm that he plans on returning to north London after speculation emerged of him potentially extending his stay in France.
William Saliba commits future to Arsenal in interview
William Saliba STAYS at Arsenal. Confirmed by the player.
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) June 5, 2022
🗣 "I belong to Arsenal, I still have two years left. I will be back with Arsenal. I have played zero matches and I still want to show them my true face and have the chance to play for these fans and this great club." pic.twitter.com/DikCXzC0eY
The young French defender signed for Arsenal back in 2019 for £27m before the Gunners loaned him out to St Etienne (from where he was signed), Nice and Marseille to ensure he was earning regular minutes at a senior level.
Thus, despite technically being an Arsenal player for three years, Saliba is yet to play for the club. After he helped Marseille return to the Champions League last season, much was made over the French international’s future this summer. Speculation arose about the player wanting to play in Europe’s premier club competition, which, obviously, Arsenal couldn’t give him next season.
#AFC || Saliba publicly stating he is going back to Arsenal to show the club what he is made of is exactly what everyone wanted to hear.
— Adam Schultz (@aschultz_15) June 5, 2022
Young star with a point to prove next season.
However, Mikel Arteta spoke late last month of his desire to integrate Saliba into the first team, and the player himself finally ended any doubts over his future at the Emirates. He wants to play for the Gunners.
Speaking to Telefoot (via the Metro), Saliba said: “I belong to Arsenal, I still have two years left.
“I will be back with Arsenal. I have played zero matches and I still want to show them my true face and have the chance to play for these fans and this great club.”
Saliba’s commitment is a huge boost for the Gunners, who have a serious defender on their books. The Frenchman should quickly emerge as a regular for Arteta’s side, and it’ll be interesting to see how the manager goes about reshuffling his defensive pack.
Could we see more of Ben White at right-back? Will Arteta shift to a back three? Saliba’s commitment has opened up several possibilities.