https://gunnerstown.com/arsenal/2021/12/30/the-william-saliba-narrative-are-controversial-decisions-favouring-arteta-of-late/
I recommend reading the article, the author compares him to our current and old CB's. But here's the key bits:
"The 20 year old French CB is going to come back to Arsenal next year as the most experienced defender of his age group playing in the top 5 European leagues. He has played 43 matches through the course of 2021."
"William Saliba has only been dribbled past 0.21 times per 90 mins through 2021. This rates him in the 96th percentile of central defenders in European football."
"Saliba’s pass completion rates at 93.4%. This puts him in the 97th percentile...Now these stats show part of the story – William can keep the ball well and recycle possession. However can he really beat the press and play passes into areas that matter and get the side moving forward? The answer to that question is yes. A big yes."
Of course, it all hinges on whether he has any ill will towards the club. From my perspective, it seems like Big Willy was being mistreated a little. He's spoken about it in the past. But if he comes back on good terms we could have a set of very good, experienced young CB's on our hands.
Interesting article on William Saliba
posted on 30/12/21
Time will tell if he is making it in the PL. Hopefully.
posted on 30/12/21
Excited to see what he can do in the Prem, it's a big step up for defenders
posted on 30/12/21
Tbh he seems to have the mentality that he needed to leave and come back a big player and wants to prove he's good enough, rather than slinking off back to France. Which to me suggests a big character, which is important, as well as suggesting he'll be willing to give us another shot.
Maybe it will depend on if we have European football, cos if so he'd surely get plenty of games then and it would be a perfect scenario to develop him together with White and Gabs
posted on 30/12/21
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 1 hour, 49 minutes ago
Time will tell if he is making it in the PL. Hopefully.
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Really wanted him to go on loan to a PL or even championship club. But as long as he's getting experience, I guess.
posted on 30/12/21
TBag, I was interested to see how well White did at RB the other day. It was only Norwich, but he looked natural. He's played that role before.
When we signed white I suspected it might be to play him at RB, which was obviously wrong. But next season I'd be intrigued to see if arteta plays him RB and makes Gabriel and Saliba the CB pairing for a few of the easier home games.
posted on 30/12/21
White passing is pretty good and he can go past players pretty easily. It would be interesting to see him play DM.
Maybe for tough games we could play 3 at the back which would on paper look super solid especially with Tommy and Tierney as the WBs.
posted on 31/12/21
We need to make our mind up on him, if we loan him out again next season then he will be nearing the end of his contract by the time he comes back and could leave after a year or so for nothing and all of the good work we've done developing would be lost
posted on 31/12/21
Think we'll definitely keep him next season if no bridges have been burned.