Saliba’s Arsenal future ‘will be decided soon’ – Arteta

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Arsenal will make decision on the future of William Saliba ‘soon’, manager Mikel Arteta has revealed.

The Gunners paid £27m to take the defender from Saint-Etienne in the summer of 2019 before immediately loaning him back for a season.

The 19-year-old finally made the permanent switch to north London ahead of the current campaign getting under way, but has yet to make a first-team appearance.

A further loan move has consequently been mooted and, when asked about that possibility, Arteta replied: “It’s something that we are discussing at the moment.

“The best thing for us to do, it will be decided soon.”

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Saliba has been forced to settle for appearances at U23s level this term as he looks to maintains match fitness.

Asked when the teenager might eventually make the step-up to senior side, Arteta said: “Whenever we have the spaces and we believe that he’s ready to play with us.

“To be fair, he’s made massive improvements in the last few months and it’s been a really tricky situation for him.

“As I mentioned before, designed a pathway for him and there were a lot of things that happened to him in his personal life and professionally as well.

“Now we’ve made some steps forwards, he’s working really hard and played for the under-21s again.

“That was a good game because [Gabriel] Martinelli finally came back for 45 minutes, so I think it was a really positive day for us in terms of that.”