Think Football Ideas
Jul 16, 2022
Updated: Dec 31, 2022
Arsenal defender William Saliba has admitted that he will “fight and work” to secure a starting place in his first season under Mikel Arteta.
The Frenchman sealed a move to the Emirates in the summer of 2019 for £25m but has spent the last three campaigns on loan at Saint-Etienne, Nice, and Marseille.
At Marseille last season, his performances led him to win the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award and eventually earn a France call-up.
Speaking ahead of the exciting 2022-23 Premier League season, Saliba said he is looking forward to a new life with the Gunners under Arteta.
“I had a good season last season,” he said while on pre-season tour in America with Arsenal. “We [Marseille] finished second in the table and I had some good moments and learned a lot, and I hope this season will be better than that.
“I was very proud [to win the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award] because the league has a lot of good young players, so it’s good for me but I want more.
“When I was on loan I watched every single [Arsenal] game because when I was there some players weren’t. I watched the games to see how they played, so when I was back it would be easier to play with those I hadn’t met before.
“We spoke a little bit on Monday and will speak more. My plan is to fight and work with the team, win as much as possible, and grow more.”