Arteta ‘makes decision’ on Saliba’s Arsenal future as Ben White transfer eyed

Don’t wait around for updates – sign up for our daily football email newsletter today!

Mikel Arteta has made a decision on William Saliba's future as the Arsenal boss eyes a move for England defender Ben White.

Saliba was sent back to his native France in January for a loan spell with Ligue 1 side Nice.

It came after he failed to make an appearance for the Gunners in the first half of the campaign, following a season-long loan at his previous club Saint-Etienne.

The 20-year-old centre-back has impressed for Nice, starting and finishing 22 league games and missing just two as he established himself as a crucial part of their defence.

But his Emirates future appears to have been thrown into doubt with Arsenal reportedly keen on signing Brighton star White for around £50m.

However, Arteta will give Saliba the chance to impress in the Gunners' pre-season tours of Scotland and the USA this summer, according to Football London.

"He's our player so he'll be back here for sure," said the Arsenal boss last month.

"After that, we will make a decision based on an agreement of the role each player is going to have in our squad."

Arteta has previously said his ideal squad has "four or five" central defenders in it.

Should William Saliba be in Arsenal's first team next season? Have your say in the comments below

Rob Holding was recently given a new contract, while left-footers Gabriel and Pablo Mari also seem assured of a place after signing last summer.

A big-money move for White would most likely have to wait until after England's Euro 2020 campaign is over.

But if he was to sign for the Gunners that would make it four – leaving just one spot for Saliba to make his own.

And with Arsenal only in three competitions next season after failing to qualify for Europe, there may not be as much scope for rotation in Arteta's squad.

The manager has previously admitted the Gunners got it wrong over Saliba, after the French under-20 international was restricted to under-23 football during the first half of last season.

"In my opinion we could have used those four or five months in a better way," said the Spaniard.

"We tried to maximise that when we tried to keep him here until December.

"Now he's had a run of games that he needed after the difficult year that he had the previous season."

Saliba must now make the most of his chance to impress in pre-season if he is to carve out a first-team place with Arsenal next term.

• Ligue 1
• London
• Arsenal FC
• Euro 2020

Source: Read Full Article