William Saliba has made some eye-opening claims against Mikel Arteta in his first press conference since his loan move to Nice.
The 19-year-old made a temporary move back to Ligue 1 this season after spending six months out of the first-team.
Speaking in an interview, the France youth international claimed he was told immediately he wasn’t ready to play for the Gunners.
Saliba said: “The coach immediately told me that I was not ready. I would have at least liked to have had a chance to rediscover my rhythm. But this is football, it’s like that.” (via The Mirror)
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Analysing the situation, it would seem a pretty shrewd move from Arteta to keep the Frenchman wrapped in cotton wool as opposed to throwing him in with the sharks. The youngster could well have made his debut at any point in the first half of the season, but, having watched the team struggle at home to the likes of Burnley, I think we’d all agree leaving him out was a sensible move.
Saliba is just 19-years-old, he has the a vast amount of time on his hand and it seems he’s finally realised that the Spaniard’s harsh treatment of him was in protection as opposed to having a hatred for him.
Think of how many players have been abused by the north London faithful to kingdom come due to bad performances. I don’t think the former Saint Etienne man wants to become the latest victim in a long line of Arsenal flops.
With Arteta showing that he’s willing to give youth a chance when they’re ready, the £15.3m-rated ace will get ample opportunities to make his mark at the Emirates Stadium for years to come.
In other news, one Premier League player has claimed the Gunners turned him down back in 2019.
