A fresh insight into the future of Arsenal defender William Saliba has, on Saturday, been forthcoming online.
Highly-regarded youngster Saliba, of course, is fresh off the back of a third loan stint away from the Emirates, and parent club Arsenal.
After failing to work his way into the first-team plans of Mikel Arteta ahead of the campaign getting underway, the 21-year-old secured a return to his home country with Olympique Marseille.
And to say that Saliba subsequently went on to impress would be something of an understatement.
The former Saint-Etienne talent quickly established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet of boss Jorge Sampaoli, en route to starts in all but two of Marseille’s Ligue 1 outings across the campaign.
LENS, FRANCE – JANUARY 22: William Saliba #2 of Olympique de Marseille challenges Seko Fofana #8 of RC Lens during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Lens and Marseille on January 22, 2022 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Not only that, but Saliba too saw his form rewarded with both a call-up to the French senior national team, and the award for Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year.
Saliba contract latest
Chatter, in turn, has long been rampant amongst the Arsenal fanbase, regarding what exactly is likely to be in store for the club’s up-and-coming defender in the 2022/23 campaign.
The long-standing assumption has of course been that Saliba will stay put, primed to fight it out for a spot at the heart of Mikel Arteta’s backline.
And, on Saturday, as much has been reiterated once more, with the reliable Chris Wheatley having confirmed that: ‘the French defender will be at Arsenal for the 2022-23 season, as confirmed by manager Mikel Arteta and people close to the player.’
Not only that, but it is also understood that the powers that be at the Emirates are working hard to tie Saliba down for the long-term.
This comes with contract talks between the two parties ongoing, described as advancing in a ‘positive’ fashion ahead of the youngster’s imminent return for pre-season training in north London.
William Saliba contract talks going positively with Frenchman set to return for pre-season training shortly.
The French defender will be at Arsenal for the 2022-23 season, as confirmed by manager Mikel Arteta and people close to the player. ?? #AFC
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) June 25, 2022
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