Mikel Arteta has revealed how it took William Saliba just two training sessions to begin proving he was ready to anchor Arsenal's title charge.
The manager didn't speak to Saliba for a week after the centre back returned from three separate stints on loan. 'I just wanted to see... how he was because then you can understand the real him,' Arteta revealed.
The Frenchman, 21, was signed for £27million in 2019 and has since started every Premier League game this season. Even Arteta has been surprised by how quickly Saliba has established himself.
'He had an immediate impact... the first two training sessions that we looked at him and thought: "There's huge potential here",' the manager said.
'His attitude, the way he came in and said: "I'm going to prove that I'm very good and I deserve to be here." Without any looking back, or being shy - he was doing it the right way.'
Arteta added: 'He took out every question mark that we could have with him and gave us all the reasons to play him.'
Arsenal head into Saturday's visit of Bournemouth sitting five points clear of Manchester City.
It was at the Vitality in August that the defender scored a sensational goal and was serenaded with a new chant.
'I was 100 per cent sure that I was going to have a lot of pressure externally to give him the opportunity,' Arteta joked.
'Then it was the perfect storm and a beautiful relationship started to build.' Until then, though, 'there were a lot of question marks and he went with all of them, ticking them off'.
Arteta explained: 'How the player is going to reintegrate into our dynamic after being out for so long. Is there some frustration there, something personal between, for example, between me and the player because he could not understand that?'
Now Saliba is a popular player among Arteta's squad. 'He's really funny, and he doesn't want to be funny,' the manager smiled.
'He has his aura and presence... and then he is very focussed and determined to become a top player.'
sakajr87
0
I think maguire is better then him 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
yh he's also better than Martinez and varane
bombnstuyz
0
he has been great since he arrive... after watching his first training Arsenal....I won't have saliba and go ahead to sign Ben white for 50m
if saliba is playing dis way...u won't bbuy Ben white for 50m
Teoaesuy
0
arsenal already have saliba... before they sign Ben nah... arteta didn't bliv him then
We have him but not ready then ….cus he’s not going to be getting enough play time if he was not sent out on loan
bombnstuyz
0
Ben white is doing is job shtf
arsenal already have saliba... before they sign Ben nah... arteta didn't bliv him then
Teoaesuy
0
he has been great since he arrive... after watching his first training Arsenal....I won't have saliba and go ahead to sign Ben white for 50m
Ben white is doing is job shtf
Manutdmyheart❤️
0
I think maguire is better then him 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
bombnstuyz
0
he has been great since he arrive... after watching his first training Arsenal....I won't have saliba and go ahead to sign Ben white for 50m
Wuhelmouz
1
he need to convince me too against Aston villa first goal. maybe he do respect that villa strike to scored that beautiful goal. up gunners
zencdmpru
1
real machine gun from the oldest arsenal armoury
kolonegooner
3
Top Top defender for us Hurry up and resign him, what a solid defending situation we are creating....No wonder BW has had to adapt to right back, he could never trouble GM or WS for their spot. Trust the Process Humble n Hungry COYG
apriltungnung
2
My boy 🔴⚪️coyg
douabdloy
0
He is phenomenal
Kitcemnstz
2
that's very good my coach