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Arsenal bosses have reportedly accepted that there is “no future” for William Saliba at the club while Mikel Arteta is in charge.
The £ 27 million defender has yet to make a single appearance with the Gunners after returning from a year-long loan stint at Saint-Etienne.
Saliba was thought to be in the vein of a regular role on Arteta’s side this season, but the Arsenal manager feels the center-back still needs a “transition year” to catch up.
The 19-year-old only made 17 appearances for Saint-Etienne last season, fewer than Arsenal expected.
Now it could be sent on loan in January, but Eurosport report that Saliba faces a battle to make his dream of Arsenal come true while Arteta is in command.
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Saliba was signed prior to Arteta’s appointment as manager under former boss Unai Emery.
Last year on loan in France was expected to give Saliba more time to develop, but Arsenal bosses are of the opinion that he is not yet at the level required to play in the Premier League.
Since sealing their transfer to the Emirates, Arsenal have also added Pablo Mari and Gabriel to their squad, pushing Saliba further down the pecking order.
His problems worsened earlier this week when he was sent off by Arsenal under-21s as they were eliminated from the Papa John’s trophy against AFC Wimbledon.
The Gunners are said to be open to offers for Saliba to be loaned out, and Arteta says a decision will be made soon, though it offered the youngster some hope of achieving the degree at Arsenal in the future.
Mikel Arteta’s gunners have been deprived of title glory for a while now, but things could be turning as a new Arsenal team chart a course for success.
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New signings Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey have started to work after their big summer arrivals, and the new Gunners are doing their best for a top four spot and Europa League glory this season.
Mesut Ozil’s situation continues to hang in the background and there are plenty of things to do in North London to keep up with.
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When asked when fans could expect to see Saliba in first-team action, Arteta replied: “As long as we have the spaces and we think he’s ready to play with us.
“To be fair, he has made great improvements in the last few months and it has been a really tough situation for him.
“As I mentioned before, we designed a path for him and there were many things that happened to him in his personal life and also professionally.
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(Image: Getty Images)
“Now we have taken some steps forward, he is working very hard and he returned to playing for the under 21s.
“It was a good match because Martinelli finally came back for 45 minutes, so I think it was a very positive day for us in terms of that.”
Pressed on Saliba’s possible departure in January, Arteta said: “It is something that we are discussing at the moment, what is the best we can do.
“It will be decided soon.”
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