In a stunning revelation that will send shockwaves through the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal defender William Saliba has broken his silence on the turbulent early days of his relationship with manager Mikel Arteta.
The French international, now considered one of the Premier League's elite centre-backs, confessed there were moments he genuinely believed his Arsenal career was over before it had even begun.
The Exile Period That Tested Saliba's Resolve
Speaking candidly about his challenging introduction to English football, Saliba revealed: "There were definitely times when I thought it might be better for everyone if I moved on. When you're training separately from the main squad and not even making matchday squads, doubts naturally creep in."
The 23-year-old endured a perplexing three-year wait between signing for Arsenal and making his competitive debut, despite his £27 million transfer from Saint-Étienne in 2019.
Arteta's Masterplan Finally Revealed
However, Saliba now understands Arteta's controversial methodology was actually a carefully crafted development plan.
"Looking back, I can see what Mikel was doing," Saliba admitted. "He was protecting me, preparing me for the physical and mental demands of English football. At the time, it was frustrating, but now I appreciate his approach."
The defender's patience has been richly rewarded, establishing himself as arguably Arsenal's most important player during their title challenges of the past two seasons.
From Outcast to Undroppable
Saliba's transformation from peripheral figure to defensive linchpin has been remarkable. His presence in Arsenal's backline correlates directly with the team's defensive solidity and title credentials.
What seemed like career stagnation has ultimately become career-defining development, with Saliba now regarded as one of world football's most complete defenders.
The Turning Point Every Arsenal Fan Missed
The Frenchman pinpointed the exact moment his fortunes changed at the Emirates. "When I returned from my loan at Marseille, something had shifted. Mikel sat me down and explained his vision for me in the team. That conversation changed everything."
Since that pivotal discussion, Saliba has missed just four Premier League matches through injury, with Arsenal's title challenge visibly suffering during his absence last season.
His partnership with Gabriel Magalhães has become the foundation upon which Arteta has built his modern Arsenal, proving that sometimes the most unconventional methods yield the greatest rewards.
