Frustrated Arsenal man sent message amid Arteta frustrations

William Saliba

A former teammate of William Saliba has told the Arsenal defender his time will come with the Gunners if he remains patient.

Arsenal signed Saliba from Saint Etienne last summer before immediately loaning him back to the French side. The teenager continued his growth with his former club, but was unable to finish the season with them.

It had seemed likely that Saliba would be given a more important role upon his return to Arsenal. However, the signings of Pablo Mari in January and Gabriel Magalhaes in the summer have added competition for a place at centre-back.

Therefore, there were rumours that Saliba could head out on loan again. Saint Etienne would have been willing to have him back again, but could not find an agreement.

Hence, Saliba will spend the season with Arsenal, where he will have to fight for his place.

St Etienne boss Claude Puel has already made it clear Saliba was keen to make the return to the Ligue 1 side.

However, despite being a long way down Mikel Arteta’s pecking order, Harold Moukoudi has a message of hope for Saliba.

His former teammate claims to have spoken to Saliba recently and says his qualities will eventually win over the Gunners boss.

 

“Willow, I spoke to him,” Moukoudi told But! Football Club. “I told him to not get weighed down by it and to continue to work. It’ll pay off.

“With his qualities, I’m convinced he’ll bounce back. He’s got huge potential, no one can deny that.”

Asked if he needs to look elsewhere, Moukoudi is convinced his time will soon arrive at Arsenal.

“He needs to hang on, take it on the chin and sit tight, but he’ll succeed. That’s for sure.”

 


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Keown questions ‘bizarre’ Saliba situation

Earlier this month, one former Arsenal defender questioned Arsenal’s handling of the Saliba situation.

“It’s bizarre. We’ve just not seen the kid,” Martin Keown told talkSPORT. “You want to see him to see how he performs say in the Championship to see if he’s good enough.

“I’m anxious to see. The feeling was that this was going to be the one.”

 

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