MY ACCOUNT
Three years on from joining Arsenal from Saint-Etienne, William Saliba looked destined for an Emirates exit.
A trio of loan spells back in his native France had cast the defender into the shadows.
But an impressive season at Marseille last term convinced Gunners boss Mikel Arteta that the 21-year-old could offer a solution to his defensive woes.
And now a stellar debut in the opening-day victory at Crystal Palace has thrust the Paris native into the spotlight.
Ahead of the North Londoners’ next Premier League assignment against Leicester, we assess Saliba’s strengths and discuss the heights he can reach.
Proving a point
Saliba spent the 2019-20 campaign back at Saint-Etienne, with the expectation that he would fight for his place in the Premier League when he returned.
But the 6ft 4in centre-back was shipped out to Ligue 1 again in January 2021 after featuring primarily for Arsenal Under-21s.
This time he was sent to Nice before being loaned to Marseille for the 2021-22 campaign.
Saliba’s performances at the Stade Velodrome were of such a high standard that he was named the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, while earning his first caps for Didier Deschamps’ World Cup winners.
His dominance in the air and calming presence are two qualities that are valued in a modern centre-back, but questions were asked as to whether he could handle the physicality of the English game.
If his performance against Palace is anything to go by, then Arteta need not worry.
Saliba showed all the class that he had developed during his time across the Channel, including a range of passing that helped Arsenal bypass Palace’s high-pressing system.
Glowing reports
Having made just one appearance in the Premier League, you might expect pundits to reserve judgement on Saliba, but Gary Neville has already suggested that Arsenal have a star on their hands.
Speaking after the 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park, the former Manchester United full-back said: “He is a hell of a centre-back now, but when you see him in another two, three, four years’ time — he will only get better.
“I referred to his debut as an early Rio Ferdinand performance, he reminded me of that.
“You just know that he will get stronger, he will get wiser, and you know that in three years he is going to be one hell of a centre-back.”
This opinion was echoed by Arsenal team-mate Gabriel, who started alongside Saliba in South London.
The Brazilian defender, 24, said: “For me, he’s the best. He’s very young, very promising and a very good player.
“I am so happy to play with him, together. He has now started in the Premier League and he was so good.”
Mikel’s masterstroke
Arsenal’s No12 was originally keen to remain at Marseille for the 2022-23 campaign, tempted by the offer of Champions League football.
But Saliba understood that he had unfinished business with the Gunners, saying: “I belong to 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.
“But it doesn’t just depend on me. In any case, to leave like this, would be a shame.”
These comments suggested the power lay in the hands of Arteta, who was thrilled to have made the decision to welcome Saliba back into the fold.
Following his defender’s impressive debut, the Spanish tactician, 40, said: “To sign him at 18 years old and bring him back two years later is something unusual.
“He has been so determined and willing to come here and now proved the point that he is ready.
“At 21 years old, debut in the Premier League, against this opponent, against physical players — and resolve that situation the way he has done it, with that composure, with that calmness and with that presence.
“Big credit to the boy. I wanted to let him be and let him play, that’s the way we have tried to develop that player.”
World Cup wishes
Saliba is a long way from reaching the peak of his abilities and will improve with experience.
The defender has already expressed his desire to play in the Champions League and he could find himself a target for the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, who can offer regular football in Europe’s premier competition.
But having been shifted from club to club since 2019, Saliba might be content to build with Arsenal as they look to re-establish themselves as a leading force in the Premier League.
In the short term, convincing Deschamps he is worthy of selection for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar will be the immediate priority.
He faces competition from the likes of Manchester United’s Raphael Varane, Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe and Tottenham’s Clement Lenglet to secure a starting spot.
But if he can continue to deliver dominant performances of the quality seen last Friday, he may be set to enjoy great success for both club and country.
