William Saliba is set to return to Arsenal this summer, although things could be delayed if the seasons around Europe continues with an aim to finish them off, but sooner or later – William Saliba will start his career as Arsenalman.
The Gunners agreed on a deal to get the Frenchman at their disposal over a delayed year, giving him time to improve at Saint Etienne, away from all the pressure around Arsenal and in the Premier League.
Unfortunately, Saliba missed lot of games owing to muscle injury followed by a fracture, but looked in a top shape when season was quoted on a temporary end.
Fabio Frasconi, the man who coached William Saliba at Under-12 and Under-13 level with Bondy, Spoke to Saint-Etienne website, explaining just how highly he thinks of the player: “William will go far, very far. He reminds me of Raphaël Varane. As a kid, he was already above the lot, technically clean, comfortable with the ball. I had positioned him at the centre forward position. Evolving then in central defence would not have allowed him, in my opinion, to progress. I feel enormous pride when I see him playing at this level, with this composure, this maturity, this accuracy, this sense of anticipation and this application.”
It’s his attitude that sticks out for Fabio as he went on saying: “I have never seen a kid have such a desire to succeed. He wanted, from an early age, to be a professional footballer, already hated defeat, transcended himself. When the opponent was superior, he knew how to give himself, showing the example for the good of the team. How many times he changed the course of a match!
“Between us, moreover, it goes far beyond the simple educator-player relationship. A real relationship of trust has been established. I made him understand that education was important, that it had to be structured, to be attentive to his diet if he intended to go the course.”
