A lot has been said over the last 24 months about what is happening with William Saliba at Arsenal. So far once it is actually interesting to hear from the young Frenchman himself.
“I’m the one who chose to go to Marseille, they [Arsenal] preferred that I go to England, but I knew that coming here was the right choice, so I really pushed for this.”
This is actually quite disappointing and in its isolation would perhaps lead you to be quite critical of Saliba.
Arsenal wanted Saliba to play Premier League football. The thinking would be that 38 games in England’s top flight would show to everyone what standard he is.
Instead Saliba chose to return to France for a 3rd loan spell. It would be easy to label him a “coward” and deciding “the easy life in France” rather than playing at a higher level in Premier League.
“I spoke with the coach [Jorge Sampaoli] and Pablo [Longoria, OM president], and I was quickly convinced.”
I guess the question comes down to “what club did Arsenal want Saliba to join”.
Early reports were that Arsenal were lining him up for a move to Newcastle.
That would have seen Saliba playing under Steve Bruce. Not exactly an inspiring coach to work under.
Meanwhile Jorge Sampaoli is the man who took Chile to Copa America glory back in 2015 and had a spell managing Argentina.
Given the choice between playing under Sampaoli or Bruce, there is only really one logical answer. Sampaoli.
“I’m young, I’m 20 and I haven’t proven anything yet. I still have many aspects to fix and areas in which I can progress.”
This final quote is what has made me warm further towards Saliba.
He recognises that he is not ready yet. That he has yet to prove anything. That he is still young and has plenty to improve on.
Mikel Arteta has been heavily criticised for not giving Saliba a chance, but in the Frenchman’s own word he is not ready yet.
It is easy to forget that Saliba is just 20.
This is 3 years into a 5 year deal with Arsenal.
If Arsenal have an option to extend a year, it would make a lot of sense for him to play the season in France under Sampaoli, and then get his English loan deal. At that point he might be looking at a better club than Newcastle. Better coach than Bruce.
At which point he returns to Arsenal. Just 22. 2 years left on his deal and ready to fit for first team football.
Taking in isolation with just the first quote, Saliba will be criticised. But with the full picture in his own words it is hard not to agree with his viewpoint.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 
Except, Steve Bruce was a CB who played in a few fairly decent United teams. Let’s not let that get in the way though eh.
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So 3years into a 5 year contract he still won’t have played in a competitive league. Not terribly inspiring. Doesn’t sound like he is interested in pushing himself to the next level but would rather pick up a premiership wage for playing in a lower league.
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Appreciate your compassion and broader perspective Keenos. Been in a similar conversation with another writer and posters at another site I frequent. The writer there was engaging commenters, while being mildly critical– still landing on the side of understanding William Saliba’s decision.
What I added to the thread in a reply was this–
“(Writer’s name), not only did William Saliba lose his mother, but his father as well (best as I could find, not too long before his mother passed).
While I’m a lot older than William Saliba now, my mother passed away when I was at almost the same age as he. As a statement of fact– it’s a sad thing to consider. Living it, is more than a fact. It changes you at a young age. Saliba’s professional discipline as an athlete may have helped him cope with the loss of his father. Though I suffered through something of a parallel– I can’t begin to imagine had I lost my dad as well at that time.
Fans can’t begin to gauge what this young man has been through with his grieving. Adding professional career pressures to that weight? I’m prone to giving William Saliba a wide berth during his development at Marseille– and hopefully once again at Arsenal– whenever that might occur.”
The writer was kind enough to respond and expressed– “we’re only aware of a sliver of what is actually going on, being communicated, etc. behind the scenes. It’s almost foolish for us to even have takes because the reality is always much more complicated than we know.”
There’s more going on in any situation with regard to a player’s transfer or loan. More so in the case of William Saliba.
And I appreciate your stance on it as well.
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