William Saliba has revealed that he has spoken to manager Mikel Arteta about his role next season and plans to fight for his place in the Arsenal starting XI.
The 21-year-old defender has struggled since joining the Gunners in 2019, after being immediately loaned out to Saint-Etienne before spells in Nice and Marseille – where he excelled last season.
Saliba – who is yet to appear for the first team – is frustrated by his lack of opportunities under Arteta, having dropped back to the development squad in the 2020-21 season.
He had been strongly linked with a permanent move to Marseille, but Arsenal have always been keen to reintegrate him.
With Europa League football next season, Saliba is getting plenty of playing time and appears to have had an encouraging conversation with Arteta about his role with the squad.
Asked if Arteta had explained his plan for the defender this season, Saliba said on the club’s official website: “We talked a little on Monday and will talk more.
“My plan is to work, to fight, to work with the team, to win everything that is possible. To grow more and win everything and fight for this season.”
Saliba was given extra time off as he was involved with the French summer internationals and did not register for practice until Monday before flying to the US for their pre-season tour on Thursday.
When he rejoined the team after a year away, he said: “It feels good to be back and start the pre-season. I am so excited to continue training and playing in the friendlies.
“It’s important to be here with the fans, but also with my teammates. I hope we can enjoy some good training and matches, which is important for the start of the season.”
Despite doubts about Saliba’s future at Arsenal – and willingness to return to the club – he says he always intended to come back and kept a close eye on the team’s performance during his stay in Marseille.
He added: ‘When I was loaned out, I watched every single [Arsenal] game because when I was there some players weren’t.
“I watched the games to see how they played, so when I got back it would be easier to play with people I hadn’t met before.”
Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes formed an excellent partnership at the heart of defense for Arsenal last season and it will be very difficult for Saliba to dislodge.
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