Mikel Arteta believes Marli Salmon has already proved he can be trusted to start for Arsenal this season. The 16-year-old started against Como on Wednesday night and was one of the best players on the pitch in the 1-1 draw.
Impressive display against Como
Salmon was the only Arsenal player to feature for more than an hour and he was incredibly composed at centre-back. It was a timely performance from the teenager, with Arsenal short of options at the back in the absence of the injured William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.
Arteta's backing
Salmon has pushed his case for first-team involvement in the opening weeks of the season and Arteta suggested more opportunities will come. “He’s in and around the first team,” Arteta said. “We know that obviously the circumstances are what they are, that’s the context that is allowing him to play more minutes.
“If we would have other players it would be more difficult. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t get the chance to do so. But what he’s proved in the last few weeks is that he’s reliable and when we want to play him, he can do a job.”
Rapid development
Salmon made his Arsenal debut last season in the Champions League, coming off the bench away at Club Brugge. His development has gone somewhat under the radar in comparison to Max Dowman’s meteoric rise. However, the fact Arteta has been so willing to trust a 16-year-old defender has emphasised just how highly he rates Salmon.
Asked what he most admires about Salmon’s game, Arteta replied: “First of all, the courage that he plays with. Second, how fast he learns. Sometimes at that age it takes weeks and months to develop certain things. He picks things [up] really quickly. He’s a really smart boy, he wants it. He’s 16 years old and some of the individual actions he’s done today, I think he was exceptional.”
