William Saliba is ‘in no rush’ to return to Arsenal with the defender feeling his talents have been under-appreciated by Mikel Arteta.
Saliba has not made a single first-team appearance since signing for Arsenal in a £27m deal from Saint-Etienne in 2019, spending the past three seasons on loan at his former side, Nice and Marseille.
The centre-back is currently impressing during his season-long loan spell with the latter and the Sun are reporting that Arsenal are facing a fight to convince Saliba his future is at the Emirates.
Saliba was signed by former manager Unai Emery before failing to force his way into Arteta’s plans, with the 20-year-old not included in the Gunners’ Premier League squad last season.
His attitude was also questioned last term after turning down a Championship loan in favour of returning to France, despite Arsenal having preferred for the defender to remain in England in a bid to help his adaptation.
The arrival of Ben White from Brighton during the summer has also increased the competition for places at the North London side, though Marseille do not have an option to sign Saliba on a permanent deal despite his strong performances at the Stade Vélodrome.
Saliba currently has two-and-a-half years remaining on his Arsenal contract and no decision has yet been made by the Gunners on his long-term future.
