‘He looked ready to me’ – Arsenal boss Arteta hails Saliba with star set for new deal after shining in win over Chelsea

ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has hailed William Saliba after his performance against Chelsea.

The Gunners thrashed their London rivals 4-0 in Orlando, Florida on Friday in a morale-boosting pre-season victory.

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The French defender starred as the Gunners thrashed Chelsea in Florida[/caption]

Centre-half Saliba, 21, was one of the star performers for the Gunners – despite NEVER playing a single official game for them in three years since he joined from Saint Etienne.

We reported last week how he was set to sign a new contract at the Emirates.

That was even though he had been shipped off back to his old club, Nice and Marseille on loan over the past few campaigns.

The French international looks certain to be sticking around at Arsenal this term judging by his manager’s glowing review of his display against the Blues.

According to TalkSport, Arteta said: “I am really pleased to see the way he is playing, the way he has adapted to the team, the maturity that he’s shown at 21-years-old, carry on doing it.

“We will keep developing him, he has a huge potential.

“He is already a top player and we have to make him even better.”

When asked directly whether Saliba was ready for the Premier League, Arteta said: “He looked ready to me today.”

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Saliba joined Arsenal from St Etienne in 2019 before returning to the French club on loan.

He also took in loan spells at Nice and Marseille, playing 52 times for the latter last term.

Barcelona were reportedly keeping tabs on Saliba after his fine form in Ligue 1.

But Arsenal told the centre-back to forget about a permanent transfer.