William Saliba has put an end to speculation he could leave Arsenal this summer after confirming he will return to the club for pre-season.
The 21-year-old joined the Gunners from Saint-Etienne in a £27million deal in 2019 but has yet to play a competitive first-team match for the north London side.
Instead, he has been sent on loan back to Saint-Etienne as well as to fellow Ligue 1 clubs Nice and Marseille, excelling at the latter in the 2021-22 season.
William Saliba has confirmed he will ‘be back with Arsenal’ following a dramatic U-turn
The France international signed in 2019 but has yet to play a competitive first-team game
Saliba appeared to hint last month that he preferred to stay at Marseille by revealing his desire to play in the Champions League, while Newcastle, Leicester and Atletico Madrid have all been linked with moves.
But speaking to Telefoot, the France international insists he is ready to show his ‘true face’ to boss Mikel Arteta – whose men will be competing in the Europa League next term – and represent ‘this great club’.
‘I belong to Arsenal, I still have two years left,’ he said.
‘I will be back with Arsenal. I have played zero matches and I still want to show them my true face and have the chance to play for these fans and this great club.
He has had three loan spells in that time, most recently at Marseille where he excelled
‘It doesn’t just depend on me. In any case, to leave like this, would be a shame.’
Saliba – who still has two years left on his deal at the Emirates Stadium – also thanked Marseille for helping him reach ‘the next level’ in his career and show people his true worth.
‘If I were to describe my season in a word? Surprising, or magical,’ he added. ‘It was my first full season. I was committed to showing people who I really am.’
‘The assessment is positive and I’m happy with my season. When you look at Marseille from the outside, you say: it’s good, but it’s make or break. So I told myself: “you’re going to…