Matteo Guendouzi Urges William Saliba to Leave Arsenal

Despite comments from William Saliba and Mikel Arteta in recent weeks that indicated both the club and player's intentions, this transfer saga seemingly rages on.

Fans of Arsenal have speculated if the French defender could move on this summer but these suspicions were rebuffed when Mikel Arteta finally spoke out, insisting Saliba: "has to come back".

Furthermore, the 21-year-old himself spoke about the situation last week, stating: "I will be back with Arsenal".

However, Marseille have not given up on signing the Frenchman who was ever-present in their back-line last season, helping them to their highest points tally in Ligue 1 since 2018 and a return to the Champions League. The historic French club are reportedly waiting for a chance to approach Arsenal for the defender, who will surely have one on Didier Deschamps' World Cup squad in November. A lack of game-time at the start of the season for Saliba could force him into a push for a move, and Marseille would likely be the first team in the interested queue.

William Saliba recently received his first France caps.

Saliba's France and Marseille team-mate, Matteo Guendouzi, certainly has his opinion on what decision Saliba should take and made that clear when speaking to Telefoot.

"William has OM now in his heart, and I'm sure he will come back to Marseille next season. So I will try to push him again to stay with us."

Ironically, Guendouzi is technically still an Arsenal player himself. The midfielder moved to Marseille on loan with an obligation to buy at the start of the season and no formal announcement has followed by either club to confirm that move permanently, as of yet. The young midfielder's Arsenal career had started brilliantly under Unai Emery in 2018 but crumbled following a series of disciplinary breaches under Mikel Arteta and culminated in the Frenchman moving on, despite his obvious talent.

At the end of the day, Guendouzi's opinion is not particularly relevant. Saliba's future will be resolved by himself and Arsenal in the summer and the outcome of his contract situation will be something Arsenal fans have to be patient for.