William Saliba Opens Up About Career Struggles and Uncertainty at Arsenal

William Saliba disclosed that he "questioned" if he would ever establish himself as an Arsenal player following a turbulent beginning to his time in London—but the influential French defender now possesses a completely transformed outlook.

Saliba joined Arsenal during Unai Emery's tenure as manager in 2019. The transfer arrangement with Saint-Étienne included a clause requiring the center-back to stay with the French club on loan for an additional season, meaning when he finally arrived at the Emirates, there was a different manager in charge.

Mikel Arteta wasn't immediately convinced by Saliba, who was talented but clearly a much less polished player than he is today when he arrived in north London at age 19. Arsenal's new manager didn't give the young player any first-team opportunities during their initial six months together, instead relegating Saliba to the U23 squad before sending him back to France for a six-month loan at Nice.

"It was quite challenging because I came from France, then returned on loan, then six months later when I came back here, I went to France again," Saliba reflected in a conversation with Arsenal's official website.

"Six months there, then I switched clubs, then I returned here. So it was tough. I was staying in a hotel when I first arrived, then I found accommodation but went back to France, so when I returned after that I wanted to establish myself quickly."

"I experienced some uncertainty because when you're sent on loan multiple times, you wonder if this is where you'll actually play," he honestly confessed. "But that's how it is, in football you sometimes have doubts, but you must ensure you overcome those doubts and progress forward, and that's what I accomplished.

"So I went on loan, I continued working to develop. Then I returned here stronger. When I came back I featured in nearly every match. When you have a new career path, you must adjust because there will be periods when things don't go as you hope. So you must adapt and certainly you need to be mentally resilient to be ready for anything."

Going into the 2022–23 season, Saliba had been given three years to develop as both a player and individual. Arteta clearly recognized this growth and included him in the starting lineup for the season opener away at Crystal Palace. Saliba helped secure a clean sheet in a 2–0 victory that would establish the pattern for the following three-and-a-half years, during which he has only missed playing time due to injuries.

Saliba's Rocky Early Arsenal Days

Saliba: 'No Hesitation' in Picking Arsenal Over Real Madrid

Such has been Saliba's remarkable ascent following those unstable first three years at Arsenal, the 24-year-old is now broadly regarded as among the world's elite in his position.

That standing has supported Arsenal's streak of four consecutive title campaigns—since the Frenchman's league debut, the Gunners have allowed 116 goals in 130 matches, easily the strongest defensive record of any consistent team in the division during this timeframe. Nevertheless, it has also attracted external attention.

As Saliba neared the end of the contract he originally signed in 2019, speculation about a competing offer from Real Madrid was widespread. Arsenal's No. 2 ultimately dismissed those rumors by signing a long-term contract extension with the Gunners in September and he revealed that the reasoning behind that choice was simple.

"Everything was perfect for me," Saliba stated matter-of-factly. "We have an excellent team, we have an excellent manager, we have excellent staff. And I'm confident that the future here will be very bright, so there was no doubt about extending my contract with Arsenal.

"I discussed it with my representative and with the manager as well, but it was more my decision than anyone else's," he clarifies. "I had to consider it myself and to be frank it was simple because I knew that I wanted to remain here and accomplish great things. So for me it was a straightforward choice."