William Gallas says Mikel Arteta would need to change his system for William Saliba to earn a place in the Arsenal side.
The Gunners struck a deal worth £27million to sign the centre-back from Saint-Etienne in 2019, but he is yet to make a single competitive appearance for the north club
The 21-year-old is currently out on loan with Ligue 1 side Marseille, with his impressive displays earning him his first cap for France over the last international break.
At Arsenal this season, Arteta has settled on a centre-back partnership of Gabriel and summer signing Ben White.
Former Gunners defender Gallas can’t see White being replaced, so thinks Arteta would need to change to a back three for Saliba to play.
‘I don’t know why Saliba hasn’t had an opportunity to show what he can do at ,’ Gallas told .
‘With Marseille, he is doing well so that’s why the France manager called him up and gave him the opportunity to play with the national team. So I don’t know whether Saliba will stay in Marseille or come back to Arsenal next season.
‘If he comes back to Arsenal, he has to be ready and he has to know it will be difficult for him to be in the starting XI because right now, they have .
‘But if Arteta changes his system and plays with three at the back, Saliba could fit in that position.
‘Also, if Arsenal are in the , he will have more competitions to play in during the season, so Saliba could have more opportunities to play games.
‘Saliba has to be ready and must know he has to fight to show he’s a good player and that he deserves to play for Arsenal.’
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