Saliba's damning Arteta view as Arsenal consider 'cashing in'

Arsenal are reportedly considering selling promising defender William Saliba despite him being yet to make a single first team appearance for the club.

The Gunners signed the Frenchman, 20, from Saint-Etienne in July 2019 but he's since spent time on loan at his former club, Nice and Marseille.

According to The Sun, Saliba is reluctant to return to the Emirates and finally begin his Arsenal career following a turbulent 27 months.

The U21 international reportedly believes his talents are not appreciated by Gunners manager Mikel Arteta after not getting a chance last term.

Saliba is also thought to still be annoyed at not being allowed to play for Saint-Etienne in the French Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain in July 2020.

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Arsenal are reportedly considering selling William Saliba in the summer ( Image:

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And if the Gunners can't persuade him to commit his future to the club, it's believed they will try to sell him in the summer.

The youngster was expected to be part of Arsenal's plans for the 2020-21 campaign after spending the first year of his Arsenal career on loan at Saint-Etienne.

He was left out of Arsenal's Premier League squad, however, by Arteta and made just two senior appearances for their U21s in the EFL Trophy.

Saliba joined Nice on loan in January - making 20 Ligue 1 appearances - before agreeing a temporary move to Marseille in July.

Arsenal fans will be hoping the defender is part of the squad next season after impressing in France, keeping a clean sheet against PSG and Lionel Messi on Sunday.

Speaking after that game, Saliba said: "It was the best match of my career. It was a very, very good game... We have a few regrets but we've still come back with a solid point, it's not that bad.

"We lack some efficiency. We gave a good account of ourselves, we fought until the end, and because of the atmosphere it was the most beautiful match of my career."

Arsenal have reportedly ruled out the prospect of Saliba returning to the Emirates in January and the player expressed his love for Marseille in a recent interview.

He said: "I hadn't even signed yet and I was already getting messages from supporters. I've never seen passion like this, in this town the only thing that matters in OM."

Saliba was also recently compared to Liverpool ace Virgil van Dijk, one of the best defenders in the world, by Dubai-based trainer Nicolas St-Maurice.

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St-Maurice, who has previously worked with Saliba, said: "He's a very nice guy, very hard working. We worked on a number of things such as speed, power, you know he's a big guy also and he's strong.

"When you're so young and you're big and strong you aren't as quick as the smaller guys. We worked a bit on that and he did really well.

"When I first saw him, I thought of Van Dijk because of his positions of plays and he has the right potential to make it far."