William Saliba: I Watched Every Arsenal Game Last Season

William Saliba has spoken with excitement about returning to Arsenal for the coming season.

The 21-year-old was in spectacular form on loan at Marseille last season, culminating in him being nominated as Ligue 1's Young Player of the Year. 

Having linked up with the Arsenal squad for the pre-season tour in America, Saliba spoke with the Gunners media team about his journey so far.

Above all else, he emphasised his desire to improve, stating that whilst winning Young Player of the Year was “good for [him], [he] still wants more”.

Adding such hunger to a defensive unit that was sorely lacking outside of the starting players is key for Arteta as he seeks to return the Gunners to the grand theatre of European football.

Saliba kept a keen eye on developments at his parent club whilst on loan, determined to make an adaptation period unnecessary upon his return.

"When I was on loan I watched every single [Arsenal] game because when I was there some players weren’t," Saliba said.

"I watched the games to see how they played, so when I was back it would be easier to play with those I hadn’t met before."

Having watched the Gunners religiously, Saliba will be acutely aware that he is the archetypal Arteta defender.

With immense ball-carrying abilities, combined with elite level line-breaking passing and comfortability operating in a high-line, the French international is a factory-made modern defender.

Arsenal themselves see Saliba as the future of the club, and are incredibly keen to extend the 21-year-old’s contract.

Saliba’s agent Niang Djibril seems optimistic about talks, stating that:

“[Saliba] has come back to Arsenal and is very happy.

"He is on pre-season with Arsenal and when they return let’s see what happens.

"On Monday I talked with Edu, things were positive."

In a transfer window dominated by actual incomings (Jesus and Vieira), and potential incomings (Zinchenko and Paqueta), a Saliba contract extension would represent one of the most crucial moves of the Summer.

For now, Arsenal face Everton at midnight tonight, and the Gunners faithful will be hopeful of seeing Saliba grace the famous red and white.