Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said he will hold discussions with William Saliba about the possibility of being sent out on loan in January.

The Gunners boss admits he is “fed up” with the situation, insisting the player needs a “transition year” where he can gain first-team experience before returning to the Emirates to become part of the senior squad. Speaking before Arsenal’s game against Molde in the Europe League, Arteta said the decision to loan out Saliba will be taken very soon:

“We will review the situation in the next few weeks and sit down with him and see what is the best thing to do. But it will depend on him and other players’ situations as well.”

A report from France earlier this week suggested that Saliba is keen on returning to Saint-Etienne, with the Ligue One side also open to taking him back on a temporary basis.

The French club did try to secure the defender on a loan spell before the transfer window closed last month but complications regarding paperwork led to the move being called off. A temporary switch to a Championship team was also later ruled out.