Saliba finally reveals what transpired between him and Arteta before return

William Saliba has revealed that he would have moved on from Arsenal for another challenge elsewhere but a conversation with manager Mikel Arteta changed the story.

Saliba was not given a chance after signing form the Ligue 1 and was made to go out on loan where he impressed with Marseille. There were talks of not returning to England but he revealed that a conversation with Arteta was the key factor in him remaining a Gunner.

“We spoke a bit at the beginning of the season. He was happy with what I did whilst on loan. He’s a very good coach, who really knows what he’s doing. He is clear in everything that he says,” Saliba told Canal Plus.

“He has helped me integrate quickly into this system of play. Every day he gives advice to be better on the pitch. I came back here [to Arsenal] to impose myself and it’s nice to start well, as I have.

“We have had a very good start to the season until the match at Manchester [United]. We [were] first and we want to continue like that. As everyone knows, I didn’t play. For me, it was better to go away.

“I’m a young player and it’s always better to play and gain experience, make errors and learn. If you don’t play, you can’t progress. For me, going away for a year-and-a-half was good. I came back stronger, with new ambitions.”