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Arsenal boss Edu Gaspar has admitted that William Saliba has had a hard time at the club so far.
But he is convinced that the 19-year-old center-back will become a huge success for the Gunners in the future.
Although great things are expected of him this season, Saliba has yet to appear in the first team with Arsenal, and on Monday he sealed a loan to Nice for the rest of the season.
Speaking about the move, Edu lifted the lid of his thought back allowing Saliba to leave.
“William Saliba is a player with a great deal of talent and potential,” he said.
“We are sure that he will have a great career with us, but we must remember that he is still only 19 years old and has a long time to go.
“William experienced a very challenging time last year, with his playing time limited by injury and the early end of the Ligue 1 season due to the pandemic.
“So, together with William, we have decided that spending the rest of the season on loan with Nice is the best way to develop.”
Arsenal hope that he will get valuable minutes with the first team in Ligue 1 and can come back to have a great effect next season.
Nice is currently at 12th in the table and Saliba is expected to place directly into his starting 11.
The French side will pay Saliba’s salary in full, but will not have to pay any loan fees.
This season has seen Gunners coach Mikel Arteta use a plethora of center-backs at the heart of his defense as the Spaniard has switched between using a four-of-a-kind defender and a central defensive trio.
Gabriel has been the undoubted first choice, along with a host of partners, while more recently Rob Holding and Pablo Mari have built a strong partnership in Arsenal’s three-game unbeaten streak.
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