I’m happy at Marseille - Saliba aims pointed message at Arsenal
The 21-year-old has not yet made his first appearance for the Gunners after his £27million move about three years ago and he is currently on loan at Marseille.
The centre-back is reaching the end of his impressive loan with the Ligue 1 side after 45 appearances across all competitions this season. Following his remarkable form and displays for Marseille, he received his first call-up for
Francein March and played in two games for Les Bleus.
Saliba’s qualifications are not hidden as he joined the Emirates on a deal worth £27million in 2019 as a teenager. However, he has not yet featured for Arsenal and he insisted that his call-up is thanks to the chances he was given at Marseille rather that Arsenal.
"There is always a chance,"
Saliba told French outlet Le Parisien about staying at the Stade Velodrome.
"I do not hide that I am very happy in Marseille. I have developed, I have passed a milestone. If I make it into France's squad it's thanks to Marseille, because there is a lot of visibility.
"They are a very big club with a lot of pressure, but when you're good there are a lot of good things that happen to you. We will see in May or June depending on the discussions. Today, my future, I don't know what it is." Saliba has helped Marseille to second in the Ligue 1 table as well as the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, where they will face Dutch side Feyenoord. He was named in the starting XI for Sunday night's top-flight encounter with Paris Saint-Germain, who are processing to another league title.
Whether he will stay at Marseille or return to the Gunners this summer remains to be seen. His contract is due to expire in two years and Mikel Arteta was optimistic that he may break into the first team.
"I know that sometimes it's difficult to explain or understand after the money that the club has spent trying to bring him in, to send him on loan,"
the Arsenal boss said of Saliba.
"But a lot of things have happened to him he’s a long-term player for us and we need to protect him as well. And giving him three or four games is not enough. He's very happy to go there now. Hopefully, he can enjoy his football and be ready for us for next season."
DISCLAIMER! Sportmob does not claim ownership of any of the pictures posted on this website. Again, we do not host pictures or videos ourselves. Our authors merely link to the rightful owner. Lastly, Sportmob have carefully considered and reviewed all of its content. Despite that, it is possible that some information might be out-dated or incomplete.