Get French Football News features writer Adam White feels another loan spell is needed for William Saliba to stake a claim for a regular spot in Arsenal’s defence, after he joined Marseille on a temporary basis.
After showing plenty of promise in his homeland, Saliba secured a move to the Emirates Stadium from Saint-Etienne for a reported fee of £27million two years ago.
The centre-half has yet to make a senior appearance for the Gunners but made 22 appearances during a valuable loan spell with Nice during the second half of last season.
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It has been suggested all that Saliba, who was loaned straight back to Saint-Etienne following his switch to north London, would be on the move again this summer.
The 20-year-old has now followed Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi in making a season-long loan switch to French side Marseille.
White insists Saliba needs to prove his worth in order to have a long-term future with the Gunners, whether Mikel Arteta remains in charge or not.
Speaking exclusively to TIF, White said: “Whether or not he has a future at Arsenal will depend on whether he can find consistency and, as a result, form at a decent level to impress Arteta sufficiently.
“He has to achieve that first step before he can think about a future at Arsenal, given the current set-up there.
“Currently, it all depends on Arteta and he doesn’t seem to fancy him.”