Arsenal struggler caught in awkward jibe with colleague over role

Arsenal defender William Saliba has laughed off the fact that he has yet to play a game for the club since his return from a loan spell.
The 19-year-old signed for the Gunners last summer from Saint-Etienne. Indeed, he then returned to the French club on loan for the 2019/20 campaign.
The Frenchman subsequently came back to north London, with Arsenal keen to find another loan for him. However, he did not secure a transfer in the recent window.
As such, he has yet to make a senior appearance under Mikel Arteta, instead playing in the Under-23s team alongside an appearance in the EFL Trophy.
Saliba’s lack of game time surprisingly came up as a topic of debate in a recent video posted on Arsenal’s YouTube channel.
The defender was joined by his fellow Frenchman Alexandre Lacazette, with the pair asked to name famous players from their country to play Arsenal.
Lacazette suggested Saliba, but the defender said: “I haven’t played yet!”
Lacazette then said: “Of course. Oh, but you signed! Does Saliba count or no?”
Saliba replied: “No, because I didn’t play.”
Lacazette pointed out that signing for the club should warrant his place on the list. However, the defender again pointed out that he has yet to line up for the first team.
Arteta confirms Saliba talks ongoing
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insisted publicly on several occasions that he tried to find a suitor for Saliba in the recent transfer window.
Speaking in Thursday’s latest press conference after his recent lack of action, though, the Spanish manager confirmed that discussions remain underway over the centre-back’s next steps.
“It’s something that we are discussing at the moment,” he said. “The best thing for us to do. It will be decided soon.”
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