Arsenal have enjoyed a stellar 2022/23 campaign so far, currently sitting on top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta's side can go five points clear of second-placed Manchester City if they are able to beat Everton this evening. One player that has been vital during their excellent run of form has been young defender William Saliba.
The French international has started all 24 of their league games so far this season, forming an excellent partnership alongside fellow centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes. However, it wasn't always plain sailing for Saliba in north London. In fact, according to ESPN, Gunners players had dismissed the youngster as a "League One-level” player when he first arrived in N5 during the 2020/21 pre-season.
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The report claims that multiple players, none of whom are still employed by the club, were said to have been less than impressed with the 21-year-old's ability, arguing that his positioning was poor whilst also claiming that he had a tendency to lunge into tackles.
Saliba eventually spent the second half of that season on loan with Ligue 1 side Nice before enjoying a hugely successful spell with Marseille the following season. Since then, the former Saint-Etienne starlet has gone from strength to strength, showcasing a rare blend of calm ball-playing skills and intelligent reading of the game with hugely impressive physical attributes.
Arsenal boss Arteta has since admitted that he worried about the state of his relationship with Saliba, something that ended up being perfectly fine. "I was really impressed and surprised when I spoke to him," Arteta said back in October of last year.
"The way the relationship started, [I wondered] if there was damage there because he had certain expectations. But he was so committed just to play for Arsenal.
"If I look at how he talks about the club and how much he wants to be here, I have no doubts that he wants to continue to be here."
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