If his loan to OM during the 2021-2022 season was a turning point in his career and then allowed him to win at Arsenal and the French team, William Saliba still hesitated. A few months earlier, the Commanderie had been invaded by supporters and the French international admitted that this had initially cooled him down somewhat.
Formé à l’ASSEWilliam Saliba took over the management ofArsenal from the summer of 2019, but needed time to find a place there. First loaned to Greens during the 2019-2020 financial year, the French international (32 caps) then went through theOGC Nice (January-June 2021), before joining the club where he definitively revealed himself: theABOUT (2021-2022).
The incidents at the Commanderie made Saliba hesitate
« Marseille was incredible. However, I hesitated a little before going there. There had been the incidents at the Commanderie a few months earlier; frankly, it can get a little cold », the avoué William Saliba in an interview given to France Football. « But afterwards, with my agent we said to ourselves: “OK, Marseille can be hot, but if it works, it’s the French team straight away.” Plus, Jorge Sampaoli wanted me, the leaders were putting together a great group, so I accepted. »
“I went from depression at Arsenal to being called up for the French team with Marseille”
« The coach gave me incredible freedom because he likes players who take risks, who play forward, try dribbling, daring. And there, everything was perfect, I played all the matches, I had fun, I was good, and in March I was called up to the Blue (against Ivory Coast, 2-1) “, added William Salibawhich changed dimension during its season atABOUT. « In a little over a year, I went from depression at Arsenal to being called up for the French team with Marseille. Football can go so fast. Having had this great season at OM, I came back to Arsenal stronger. I felt from the pre-season matches that coach Arteta’s view of me had changed. »
