Saliba transformation ‘inspiration’ for Arsenal youngster
Jacque Talbot
- Updated: 14 Oct 2023 16:34 BST
- 3 min read
Charlie Patino is using the emergence of William Saliba as one of the top-performing players as inspiration at Arsenal.
The 18-year-old, who is currently on loan at Swansea, is hoping that his days playing with other sides on a temporary basis will soon land him a position as a first-team regular with the Gunners.
The playmaker enjoyed a decent spell at Blackpool last season and is now currently his form during his season-long loan with Swansea, having provided three assists and a goal in his first six Championship matches.
The England Under 21 player told of his aspirations for the future to the Daily Mail. “It’s about getting a lot of minutes and playing a lot of games. I’ve always wanted to create a lot of chances and get goals and assists.
“I want to keep racking up the numbers and helping the team to get as high as possible. Swansea is a massive club, got a big history, were in the Premier League a couple of years ago and we want to get them back to where they belong.
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“I remember at Blackpool last year playing against them, the toughest game that I’ve ever played in, so to be playing for them this season is really just an amazing feeling.”
And the youngster sees Saliba’s recent surge as a path to emulate. The Frenchman was loaned out for three consecutive seasons before earning a spot among the first-team for Mikel Arteta.
William Saliba - the inspriation
Patino said: “Saliba is a different player to me. He’s a centre-back, big, powerful, so for me it’s inspiring to see someone from Arsenal being able to go on loan, make a name for himself and come back and show his qualities at Arsenal because it is a massive club.”
Saliba became a star in France during his loan spell at Marseille last season. His efforts there saw Arteta put him in the starting XI for his own side, where he’s been a revelation, widely considered as one of the best central defenders in the Premier League today.
