Saliba's Career-Changing Decision
William Saliba has disclosed that ignoring Arsenal's transfer advice was pivotal in reshaping his career trajectory. The French international, who joined Arsenal from Saint-Etienne in 2019 for £27 million, initially returned to his boyhood club on loan. Upon his return, new manager Mikel Arteta deemed him unready for Premier League football, leading to a six-month stint at Nice.
Arsenal's Preferred Loan Options
Arsenal's hierarchy then decided that another loan to a Premier League rival would prepare Saliba for English football. However, Saliba resisted, arguing that a season at Marseille would be more beneficial. 'Arsenal wanted me to go to Newcastle United or Crystal Palace, but I didn’t want to [do that],' Saliba told L'Équipe. He was close to joining Lille but a financial problem redirected him to Marseille.
Initial Reticence and Success at Marseille
Despite initial fears about Marseille's intense atmosphere, Saliba and his agent saw the potential. 'Marseille is a big club, but it is scary. It was the season where it was a bit crazy, where the supporters had gone to the Commanderie (OM’s training ground). But, with my agent, we said: ‘Marseille, if you go there and have a good season, it is the team in France and things can move quickly.’'
Rapid Rise to the French National Team
The gamble paid off. 'Jorge Sampaoli really wanted me. I went to Marseille and things moved so quickly. I played almost all of the matches. My value rose again. I started having fun again,' Saliba said. By March, he made his debut for France. 'It was an incredible year. I honestly loved Marseille: the supporters, the club, my teammates… football is like that. You build again from the bottom; it’s not a problem. Buckle up. If you do things well, you’ll get back to the top.'
