Ian Wright has sent out a plea to Arsenal and how they need to ‘put all their eggs’ into one basket and ensure William Saliba signs a new contract, even possibly before Bukayo Saka.
The Highbury legend isn’t concerned about Saka not putting pen-to-paper because he knows it will happen because of the winger’s connection with the club.
But he wants Saliba, who finally made his breakthrough campaign this term, to sign on that dotted line following his £27 million transfer in 2019 (Sky Sports).
The France international moved to the Premier League as a fresh-faced teenager when Unai Emery was in charge.
Both Saliba and, now Chelsea centre-back Wesley Fofana, were highly rated at Saint Etienne, but his former partner in crime, not only played for the Foxes, but signed for Chelsea in the summer, before his former teammate could secure that first senior appearance for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta took his time, but Arsenal fans will tell you that it was well worth it, with Wright sharing his thoughts on the 21-year-old and his contract situation, as he told Premier League Productions (25/02/23 at 2:20 pm)
“We heard so much about how he got into the team at the same time as Wesley Fofana at Saint Etienne,” said Wright. “Fofana came across to Leicester, then bam he was straight into the team.
“We were thinking ‘these two were playing together, then why isn’t he straight into the team?’ He came in around Unai Emery, then he left and Mikel came in. But Mikel felt that he needed to play on a regular basis. It’s different to a striker. You can bring a striker on with 20 minutes to go.
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“For a defender, and I feel the same with central midfielders, they have to play regularly to get to know the position and especially with the age that he is. That’s why they sent him out again. Arsenal fans were a little disappointed because we felt that we needed him.
“But you look at him, now, the way he has started the season and the way he plays. It’s fantastic. He’s a full international off the back of it. People talking about Saka, and Saka signing a new deal, and we know how much we need Saka. I don’t think there was any real problems with that happening because of his connection with the club. But I think all the eggs need to go in the Saliba basket. We got to make sure we keep this guy.”
ARTETA HAS PLAYED THIS PERFECTLY
During Arteta’s early days, there was a lot of pressure on him because of the mess Arsenal were in, his lack of experience and, at times, his very brave calls.
From booting out Mesut Ozil, not playing Gabriel Martinelli as much and not giving Saliba any minutes despite the likes of Shkodran Mustafi and David Luiz stinking the place out.
But, it was all done for the long-term benefits of the club, and fast forward to the present, and nobody is criticising Arteta anymore.
In other news, ‘I don’t believe it’: Tim Sherwood genuinely doesn’t think what’s been published about Leeds is true
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