William Saliba has admitted that there was a time when he questioned whether he would ever truly establish himself at Arsenal, following a difficult and uncertain start to his career in north London.
Today, however, the French defender speaks with clarity and conviction, reflecting a mindset shaped by patience, resilience, and growth.
Signed by Arsenal in 2019 during Unai Emery’s tenure, Saliba’s arrival was immediately delayed by a loan clause that kept him at Saint-Étienne for an additional season.
By the time he officially joined the Gunners, the club had a new manager in Mikel Arteta—one who initially viewed the young centre-back as a raw talent still in need of development.
At just 19 years old, Saliba struggled to find opportunities. He failed to make a single senior appearance during his first six months under Arteta, instead spending time with the U23 squad before returning to France on loan at Nice.
Another temporary move followed, this time to Marseille, prolonging his absence from Arsenal’s first team and deepening the uncertainty surrounding his future.
William Saliba on Loans, Doubts, and Finding His Place at Arsenal
Looking back, Saliba acknowledged how destabilising that period was. The repeated loans, constant relocations, and lack of continuity made settling in England difficult. “When you go out on loan two or three times, you start to wonder if this is really where you’ll play,” he admitted. “In football, doubts come naturally—but you have to learn how to put them aside and keep moving forward.”
Rather than letting uncertainty define him, Saliba used those loan spells as a platform for improvement. Each return saw him stronger, more composed, and better prepared—both mentally and tactically.
That progression was finally recognised ahead of the 2022–23 season, when Arteta handed him a starting role in the opening Premier League match away at Crystal Palace.
A composed 2–0 victory and a clean sheet set the tone for what would become a defining chapter in Saliba’s Arsenal career.
Since then, the 24-year-old has evolved into one of the most reliable defenders in world football. His consistency has been central to Arsenal’s sustained title challenges, with the club boasting the league’s strongest defensive record among ever-present teams since his debut.
That rise inevitably attracted attention beyond north London. As Saliba neared the end of his original contract, speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid gathered pace.
Yet the defender moved quickly to end the conversation, signing a long-term extension with Arsenal earlier this season.
Saliba explained that the decision required little deliberation. “Everything felt right here,” he said. “The team, the coach, the staff—there’s a clear vision. I believe strongly in where this club is going.” While discussions with his agent and Arteta took place, Saliba stressed that the final call was his alone. “I thought about it carefully, but honestly, it was an easy choice. I knew I wanted to stay and achieve something special here.”
From uncertainty to indispensability, Saliba’s Arsenal journey is a reminder that progress is rarely linear—and that belief, once restored, can redefine an entire career.
