Arteta will have to take a firm stance over Salibaplaceholder image
Arteta will have to take a firm stance over Saliba | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
William Saliba has become an integral member of Arsenal’s starting XI, but he did it the hard way.
Arsenal don’t need to do a lot of work this January in terms of the transfer window with Mikel Arteta the envy of many a Premier League manager.
With Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie his main injury worries in the senior squad, the Gunners boss can look forward to the return of Champions League football, knowing that he has plenty of options throughout his team. At some point, he will have to prioritise when resting key players, but it will be a welcome problem compared to previous years.
Arsenal should make Marli Salmon loan decision
There is little argument to the claim that Arsenal would already have won the Premier League under Arteta but for injuries depleting their squad in previous seasons. There is a depth now that wasn’t there in the past which is why Arteta doesn’t need to spend this winter.
What he could do, with the help of the recruitment team, is look to offload a player who could become the next William Saliba. After three loan spells in France, Saliba returned to Arsenal and became pivotal to their current form.
January is a time when clubs look for cover and for short-term deals due to injuries and Arsenal should be on the look-out for clubs who need a centre-half with Marli Salmon proving that he is more than ready to be tested in senior football on a more regular basis.
It was the path that Salbia ventured on to good effect and the versatile teenage defender could benefit from a similar development path for the second-half of the season.
What they’ve said about Salmon
Salmon has featured in the Champions League, FA Cup and been on the bench for Premier League and Carabao Cup fixtures. Considering his age and the depth of Arteta’s squad, it shows how highly rated he is. Speaking in December, the manager couldn’t speak highly enough of the academy prospect after coming off the bench to face Club Brugge.
“We had to really consider it because we were playing a really good side that had some really good results in the Champions League at home, but we knew that at some point we had to use him,” Arteta said via The Daily Mail.
‘So, he was ready, he was prepared. He can play as a centre back or as a full back and I’m delighted. He’s so young, 16 still, and he’s playing in the Champions League. So yeah, what a great night for him as well.’
A source also told Daily Mail Sport: “On the ball he’s excellent, and physically for his age he’s strong. Typically, you get chances as a centre back at first-team level later on as you then grow into an adult, but he could well be one of the players that breaks through and gets an early opportunity. He was outstanding against Bayern Munich’s Under 19s and put in some great tackles.”
Another source added: “He’s good in one-v-one scenarios and moves very well. The first-team coaches like him. He has a good jump on him. He’s nearly 6ft now, he’ll be at least 6ft 3in. It’s hard to break through as a centre back at Arsenal, but he’s doing well.”
With Salmon still growing, managing his minutes is key, however, he also needs to start playing regular games. Saliba was a year or so older when he first went out on loan, but if he is ready, there is no point Salmon sitting on the bench if he could be getting valuable experience.
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