Arsenal have been made to look rather silly as William Saliba has won Nice’s player of the month award after a strong start to life on loan with the Ligue 1 club.
The young Frenchman was barely used by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta this season before being sent out on loan, and it seemed at the time like that might be a risky decision.
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Saliba has long looked a hugely promising young player, and there could surely have been a bit more room for him in this struggling Arsenal side who have looked so unconvincing in defence for so much of this season.
Even if he remains relatively inexperienced, Saliba surely deserved more of a chance ahead of the likes of David Luiz and Rob Holding, and now he’s showing it with his strong performances for Nice…
? Aiglon @credit_agri_PCA de janvier
? William Saliba
? Flavius Daniliuc
? @benitezwalterok #OGCNice #Saliba— OGC Nice (@ogcnice) February 6, 2021
Arsenal fans will no doubt hope Arteta is keeping an eye on how the 19-year-old is getting on, and perhaps include him in his first-team plans when he returns next season.
The experience might end up doing Saliba the world of good, but it perhaps also suggests he was more ready to play for Arsenal than Arteta thought.
“No Neymar was the one we were looking at, but that didn’t quite happen.” – Newcastle manager Steve Bruce when asked about signing PSG’s Idrissa Gueye. Click here to read more.
Why does this make Arsenal look silly? Surely this is the development they want to see? Maybe you just want click bait headlines?
i think he deserved a chance to prove who he was
i rate him more than rob holding arteta need to give him chance
Silly headline – he was sent on loan to play- he is doing that and obviously arsenal will be happy with his progress.