Arsenal have been slammed for denying a loan move to talented youngster William Saliba and leaving him out of their Europa League squad this season.
Saliba was a part of the Saint-Étienne youth setup for a period of three years, before Arsenal swooped up the defender on a £27 million transfer last season.
The youngster was set to join League 1 team Saint-Etienne on a second consecutive loan this season before the international transfer window closed, however the deal broke down.
Saint-Etienne manager Claude Puel questioned Arsenal’s decision to deny the youngster a move back to France to develop and gain more gametime.
“It was short-term [thinking], even for a young player,” Puel told L’Equipe. “A superb player like William, to whom I wish the best, has not even made it to Arsenal’s Europa League squad. Where is the logic, if not financial?”
“We tried. He had a great desire to join us. The club is a bit like family and friends. His adaptation would have been instant.”
“This would have happened if all the conditions had met. It had to remain consistent with our finances and his contract, particularly for the management. Now, and for the future, we don’t allow any meddling.”
Several reports also linked Saliba to make a move to Brentford and Fulham, however Arsenal had second thoughts on the deal and the youngster remains at the club. Mikel Arteta confirmed that Saliba would remain at Arsenal when asked about the youngster in a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s fixture against Manchester City.
The Frenchman was expected to play a role in Arsenal’s defensive setup ahead of this season, however the 19-year-old is yet to make an appearance for the Gunners till now.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had commented on Saliba’s position in the current squad this month, adding that he still need some time to transition and train before being deemed ready for first-team football, “He had year last where Arsenal essentially loaned him to Saint-Etienne and that was a transition year for him. For many reasons, that wasn’t the transition year that he needed because he had a lot of injuries, he had some personal issues and obviously, with Covid and the French league getting cancelled, he didn’t have that year, so he needs that year of transition.”
“He needs that year of transition and we are trying to make the right decisions for him to make the best possible year of transition for him to have the player we want for our future.”
The Frenchman has featured for Arsenal’s youth team this season but will hope to soon feature in their senior team given their decision to keep him at the club this season.
