“The Right Player” Coach Backs Defender’s £27m Move To Arsenal

“The Right Player” Coach Backs Defender’s £27m Move To Arsenal

Saint-Etienne head coach Claude Puel is backing centre-back William Saliba to be a success at Arsenal, following the Frenchman’s return to the Gunners.

The 19-year-old was snapped up for £27m last summer but the defender was loaned back for a season as part of the deal. With the player now having departed Saint-Etienne, Puel says he thinks he’ll be a perfect fit for his new team:


“It will be hard for us without him but I think it is a fantastic opportunity for Arsenal. I think they need a good centre-back and have done for some time, and I think William is the right player. I think he can play all the time in the first team at Arsenal.”

Saliba won’t be able to play any part in Arsenal’s remaining fixtures, which will be a major disappointment for supporters who have seen the Gunners struggle defensively this campaign.

However, the teenager’s potential partnership with Pablo Mari should be something to look forward to next season if, that is, the Gunners also take up their £10m purchase option on the Spaniard.

Saliba, meanwhile, is expected to start training with his new teammates next month, although his arrival could reportedly be delayed due to personal reasons.

David Tully

David Tully

David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World's Football News Network.