Arteta and Arsenal have made their stance on Saliba’s transfer clear amid Real Madrid rumors. The belief between Mikel Arteta and William Saliba is mutual, and both have made it clear through their actions.
At one point, it seemed as though William Saliba might never make a senior appearance for Arsenal. Signed in the summer of 2019 under Unai Emery, it took over three years before he finally played for the club.
Considering his £25 million price tag, the possibility of him leaving without ever playing for Arsenal would have been hard to accept. Saliba arrived as one of the top young prospects from France and soon solidified his status as a future star.
His peers from Ligue 1, like Raphael Varane, Wesley Fofana, and now Leny Yoro, were similarly regarded. However, Varane and Fofana have recently struggled to demonstrate their full potential, while Yoro is expected to do so at Manchester United. Meanwhile, Saliba has carved his own path.
After loan spells at Saint-Etienne (where Arsenal signed him from), Nice, and finally Marseille, Saliba proved he was ready to step up to a Premier League title contender. His breakthrough in the 2022/23 season paralleled Arsenal’s own resurgence.
Saliba demonstrated that he was not only smooth on the ball but also commanding, often referred to as a “Rolls-Royce.” He quickly transitioned from being a prospect to a serious force. Arsenal’s rise to the top of the table was significantly due to Saliba’s presence.
As Arteta has focused more on pragmatism, prioritizing defense and solidifying the backline, Saliba has also grown in stature. Already physically imposing and fast, he’s now one of the toughest defenders to beat, both in the air and one-on-one. His passing ability, particularly through midfielders like Declan Rice, and his knack for driving forward to initiate attacks, remain impressive, even if used less frequently.
Saliba remains the cornerstone of Arsenal’s defense and has shown leadership qualities. He embodies everything this current Arsenal squad represents. His absence late in Arteta’s first serious title push caused the team to falter, as they couldn’t replace him. It’s no surprise that his fitness last season contributed to a stronger finish, both in the league and in Europe.
If he stays until then, it will have been eight years since his transfer to Arsenal, although only five since his debut. In a way, his journey is still just beginning.
Arteta has made Saliba a priority at every stage of his development. Even when it was evident that Saliba, though still a teenager, was perhaps a better option than some of the defenders Arteta had at his disposal, a developmental loan was preferred.
It’s possible that Saliba’s progress might have been hindered had he played in teams featuring the likes of David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi, and Cedric Soares. But now that those players are long gone, Saliba has helped shape a younger, stronger defensive unit with his presence.
Arteta certainly could have used a player like Saliba during those earlier years, but the decision to loan him out and let him excel above his competition has paid off. This long-term strategy is what has left Arsenal in such a strong position now.
Saliba is well aware of the significant role his manager has played in his success. That can’t be understated, even with the allure of Real Madrid.
