Keown offers his thoughts on Arteta's treatment of Saliba at Arsenal

Martin Keown insists Arsenal's strategy with William Saliba has been played to perfection as the defender impresses with Marseille.

Eyebrows were raised when the centre-half was sent out on loan in the summer, his third in total, with the Gunners in desperate need of defensive reinforcements.

Arsenal fans were hoping Saliba would be given a chance to stake his claim in the side this season, but Mikel Arteta opted to sign Ben White for £50million and send the youngster to the south of France until the end of the season, as a result.

It was feared that Saliba's time in north London was coming to an end given that he hadn't made a competitive appearance since arriving from St Etienne for £27m in the summer of 2019.

William Saliba has been impressing for Marseille this season ( Image:

Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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But the Spaniard's brave decision has been vindicated as he is excelling in Ligue 1 and is gaining invaluable experience playing football week in, week out.

And former Arsenal defender Keown has defended the club's cautious approach with the 20-year-old and believes he is now in a position to become a first-team player next season when his loan deal expires.

He told Mirror Online : "He's come in at a difficult time when there were a lot of managers in a short space of time.

"I don't see that necessarily as a problem. It's about bringing him back in and him still believing he is an Arsenal player.

"That message will come from the manager. This season will be really good for him, we can see what a quality player he is. Hopefully, he gets another chance to prove he can play in that first team."

Asked if he will be in Arteta's plans next term, Keown added: "You would like to think so.

William Saliba played the best game of his career against PSG on Sunday ( Image:

Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)

"That needs to be the ideal situation for the manager that he has a difficult job picking that back four where. Tierney is the best left-back at the cub, but Tavares has made that a bit more difficult for the manager.

"It seems like Gabriel and White are the main two, but Saliba is doing exceptionally well.

"It will be healthy if he comes back and creates competition and gives tough decisions for the manager. The top clubs have that, look at Man City with Laporte, Diaz and Stones. That's why they are the current Premier League champions."

Arteta reckons Saliba could get his chance in the Arsenal first team when his loan at Marseille ends, but it's dependent on other incomings and outgoings next summer.

Martin Keown is an ambassador for McDonald's Fun Football programme ( Image:

McDonald's Fun Football programme)

He said: "I think there is room. It will depend on what happens with other players and that's not a conversation to have now."

Saliba's talents were on display the weekend before last as Marseille held Paris Saint-Germain to a 0-0 draw.

And Arteta revealed that the sporting director Edu was in attendance to see his dual with Kylian Mbappe, which the player hailed as the best game of his career.

He added: "As a club, we are always in touch. Edu and Ben were there to watch him and keep a close eye on the progress he's making."

Martin Keown is an ambassador for McDonald's Fun Football programme. Go to mcdonalds.co.uk/football for fun video challenges you can recreate at home to keep your kids active.

Promoting the Fun Football Hub McDonald's Fun Football ambassador Martin Keown said "I'm a visual learner and I would've loved to have had this hub back when I was young. The number of children who are inspired watching players like Saka and wondering how they can copy them at home can now access the hub and try out their new skills in their living room."