02 Oct 2020 09:41:14
Hi Ed, any truth that Saliba might go out on loan again?
{Ed002's Note - William Saliba (CB) A representative of the player has said that promises made last year when he signed have not been met and because there are so many players for the same position he is looking for a club to take him on loan again. It is now too late to return to Ste Etienne who have signed Timothee Kolodziejczak. Rennes were seen as an option even though Nayef Aguerd has been added - but they are still in discussions over Rugani so a move is unlikely. Monaco have also been approached but will not have a need unless Benoit Badiashile were to depart - and there is now only a slim chance that could happen. Something will need to be sorted out regarding the CBs.}
02 Oct 2020 10:17:22
Thanks Ed, I hope he don’t leave as we’ve waited a year to see him and our other centre backs are average. Are the ‘promises’ about him starting matches?
{Ed002's Note - It is unimportant but I would expect he will go.}
02 Oct 2020 10:27:44
Im actually really surprised reading the reports this morning. I fully appreciate where Saliba and his representatives may be coming from, surely he was as shocked as us when he wasn't even in the squad last night. I have faith in Arteta and his judgement, and again appreciate Saliba is only 19 so needs time to be developed and protected, but his complete exclusion thus far is odd. If he does go out on loan I hope all parties are happy and he hasn't been mis-sold a plan.
{Ed002's Note - He was purchased before the likes of Arteta and Edu were involved with the club. Last season he had a season disrupted by the pandemic and a couple of injuries - a loan makes some sense but it was not what he or his representatives were expecting. Arsenal has gone in a different direction and perhaps his representatives could look for other longer term options if a loan goes well.}
02 Oct 2020 10:29:05
Hi Eds,
Any update on other CB departures? I asked a few days ago about Mustafi to Lazio, Chambers to Fulham I have seen pop up again. Presuming Sokratis to Napoli is now dead - would make sense to keep him if we were to loan him out since he has literally zero market value.
{Ed002's Note - Aside from Saliba I am not aware of any changes. Lazio have still not agreed a price with Arsenal.}
02 Oct 2020 10:34:48
I'd say he just needs to be patient surely he will get his chance soon.
02 Oct 2020 11:56:40
yeah strange he was not even in carabo cup squad last night at least, obvs Arteta does not believe he is ready yet for the EPL would it not make more sense to try and loan him to a English side then. Situation don't look good long term for him, maybe with Gabriel coming Saliba is no longer fancied long term I suspect.
02 Oct 2020 12:19:32
A loan is a stupid move. All it does is make the player feel unwanted regardless of what Arteta says to him. He should be training with the squad everyday, learning the 'process', learning from the manager and adapting to the surroundings of his club. Give him game time in the EL, League Cup, FA cup whatever so that he can put in to practice what he's learning. If he goes out on loan then aside from Holding, Gabriel and Luiz who start, we have utter garbage as back ups. Mustafi, Sokratis and Chambers are not good enough and there's no point beating around the bush with it. If they don't leave, which it's looking very likely that they wont, then clearly they're favoured over Saliba which must be devastating for him. I'm sure Saliba like most of us fans assumed he would pretty much get straight in to action but that doesn't seem to be the case.
At is stands, Arsenal need to move on 3 non-homegrown players to bring in 1 more in this window. As far as I'm aware loans count towards that so LT, Guendouzi and Saliba going out on loan would allow us to bring in Aoaur for example. Personally I think Arsenal are getting desperate and they are failing miserably to move players on.
02 Oct 2020 12:49:11
Hearing a lot of things online about saliba's mum passing away recently and it could be his wish to go back to France for now. Not sure how true that is but might explain a few things.
02 Oct 2020 15:27:42
Ed, so hang on a beat, just trying to make sense of the comments you’ve made and others. And not trying to get you to repeat yourself, but are you thinking from what you know Saliba isn’t in Arteta’s long term plans? I get we’ve got a few CBS rn however only a handful from reports I read Arteta wants to keep, Luiz, holding, Gabriel and I thought Saliba. Chambers, mustafi, Sokratis, he’s trying to move on. Arteta gave an interview, whether there’s any truth in what he was saying, but he said he’s not rushing Saliba because of injuries but he’s going to be a key player in the future.
{Ed002's Note - The situation is as I have explained.}
04 Oct 2020 00:11:21
So we fight for this super kid CB all last summer and celebrate when he turns down Tottenham for the Arsenal, we then loan him back to the selling club for a season but refuse to extend his loan so he can play in the French cup final, then he finally arrives at the Arsenal only to find he's not wanted by the new manager so is sent out on loan again! Wow what a gripping novel this would make, it makes the Clive Allen joining the Arsenal in June and being sold to Palace in August look ordinary.