Will William Saliba start for Arsenal next season?

Will William Saliba start for Arsenal next season?

By Jonny Bray
How do you solve a problem like William Saliba?
It would be criminal if, after spending £27 million on the French central defender, Arsenal cannot get the best out of the 21-year-old.
However, The Mirror is reporting that four clubs are in for the youngster, while The Sun is saying that Arsenal have given Marseille the green flag to sign Saliba.
He has had a great season on loan in Ligue 1, playing for Marseille.
In that time, he has picked up the Young Player of the Season award for Ligue 1, while also being named in the Team of the Year.
So, if he is part of Mikel Arteta's plans, will Saliba start for Arsenal next season?

Could he leave?

It would be a shame to see Saliba leave just as he enters his prime.
When he first joined Arsenal, he obviously was not ready for the quality and pressure that comes with first-team football in the Premier League.
But he is getting there.
He has played 36 matches in Ligue 1 this campaign as Marseille finished 15 points behind champions PSG in second.  
He registered 14 clean sheets in that time and now looks ready to compete on the grandest stage.
But could he be on his way out of the club?
It certainly seems so, according to much of the mainstream media, who appear to be holding out very little hope that the Frenchman will play for the Gunners again.
He has been linked with Athletico Madrid and would probably be tempted by the prospect of joining another giant of European football.
He could also stay in the Premier League, with clubs such as Newcastle United and Leicester City keen to acquire him.

If he stays, will he start?

The problem is, Arsenal finally settled on a back-four that worked well last season.
Gabriel and Ben White have made a fantastic centre-back pairing when both players have been fit.
Gabriel has been linked with a move away from North London this summer, but Arteta will be keen to keep the Brazillian.
Meanwhile, White appears to be ready to become the star in the heart of the Arsenal defence after consistently improving throughout the 2021./22 season.
But the Gunners lack decent cover in that area of the field.
Furthermore, Arsenal will need another top-quality centre-back if Arteta wants to experiment with a back three next season.

Conclusion?

Saliba will not start for Arsenal next season, but he should.
He is good enough, he has proven he is good enough this season, and the only reason he won't wear the famous red and white jersey again is his desire for more first-team football.
If there were a clear pathway to a regular spot in Arteta's side, then I have no doubt that Saliba could be persuaded to stay.
But that pathway is not a clear one, and with several clubs keen to make Saliba their main man, I see no reason why he would stick around at The Emirates for much longer.
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