WILLIAM SALIBA has been told he will be a key player for Arsenal next season and must remain with the club after three years on loan.
The French defender, 21, reluctantly returned to the Emirates after helping out Marseille finish Ligue 1 runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain.
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And reports in France claim the £27million centre-back signed by Saint-Etienne in 2019 will ask to leave if he isn’t a starter for Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
But Arteta is convinced that Saliba, who still has two years to go, has a great future with Arsenal.
He said: “William is in my plans and we are all excited to watch him.
“He is a real talent who has shown what he can do at Marseille.
“The way our relationship started wasn’t a typical thing to do, but the plan was always to buy it and loan it.
“We have tried to prepare him in the best possible way for what he will face in the… Eredivisie.
“We can’t guarantee anyone the first team. But I guarantee that players who take us to the next level will play many minutes.
“He has improved in so many areas. All the time he is abroad he has built confidence in him.”
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saliba takes on Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Rob Holding and Pablo Mari for a spot in the central defence.
He has had an uneasy relationship with Arsenal since they blocked him from playing for Saint-Etienne in the 2020 French Cup final.
But Arteta, speaking from the US during the club’s pre-season tour, defended the decisions, saying: “The communication and honesty have always been clear. I never promised him minutes.”