Payet "doesn't understand" Arsenal's handling of team-mate Saliba

Marseille star Dimitri Payet says he "doesn't understand" Arsenal 's handling of team-mate William Saliba.

Saliba joined the Gunners in the summer of 2019 from Saint-Etienne for a reported £27million and was handed the No.4 shirt, but the 20-year-old is yet to appear for the North London club's first team, instead embarking on three loan spells.

His current one is with the French giants, linking up with Payet at Stade Velodrome, and the ex- West Ham playmaker has been critical of Mikel Arteta and co's treament of Saliba.

Native outlet L'Equipe recently interviewed the 34-year-old, asking him who had impressed him most following OM's strong start to the season.

"The new ones have all brought something different," Payet replied. "After that, I am closer to younger players.

Saliba is on loan at Marseille this season

"So, the one that impresses me the most is 'Willie' [Saliba].

"Considering what he's been doing since the start of the season, I don't understand why he hasn't played more for Arsenal."

Manager Jorge Sampaoli, who employes a unique 3-3-3-1 formation with the Ligue 1 outfit, has also described the centre-back as a "future great."

"He's a top player at his position," Sampaoli said of Saliba in September.

"We were lucky to get him on loan, it wasn't simple. He's great at marking, but good bringing the ball out too.

"He's a future great of French football, he's very good at starting plays."

William Saliba is yet to play a competitive game for Arsenal

The innovative coach went on to say: "He's adapted to a three at the back well, and his performances are linked to the team's, which likes to play from the back."

Saliba's stock is rapidly rising, having been named France Under-21 captain during a recent 5-0 victory over Ukraine, something former Nice manager Adrian Ursea was well aware of last season.

"He is already a leader," the Romanian stated. "William gives a lot of personality.

"This assurance can be seen from the videos that we have watched with him and we can see it daily.

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"It is true that from the perspective of a young player who has arrived, to lead the defence like that already in the manner he has done is surprising."

Ursea continued: "You have to understand that this also surprised me. You get the impression that he has been here for a while.

"He is going to help his teammates, he is very interested in the game and he gives off a lot of maturity."

Ahead of his move to Marseille, Arteta labelled Saliba a "long-term player" for Arsenal and said that "three or four games" at the Emirates this term would not be suitable for his development.

"For him, he needs much more than that, because what happened in the last 18 months, he's been through some personal problems as well that we have to try to help him and stay as close as possible to him," the Gunners boss affirmed.

"And now he needs to play, play and play and enjoy his profession as well. And in order to do that I think we found the right club with him."

Arteta added: "He's very happy to go there now. Hopefully he can enjoy his football and be ready for us for next season."