Thierry Henry criticises Arsenal for William Saliba treatment, as on-loan defender brands Marseille ‘my club’ and comments on future

Arsenal defender William Saliba has hinted he wants to stay at Marseille beyond the end of the season, as a Gunners icon hit out at the club for their treatment of him.

The French centre-back is currently starring for the French club, having arrived on loan from the Gunners at the start of the season.

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The 21-year-old has been hailed as a ‘future great of French football’ by his current Marseille manager Jorge Sampaoli, with Saliba hugely impressing across his 49 appearances for the club this season, including 34 Ligue 1 starts.

His form this term has placed a big question mark over his future, and whether he will return to Arsenal or, like former Gunners teammate and fellow Frenchman Matteo Guendouzi, seal a permanent move to his on-loan side.

Saliba is yet to play a competitive game for Mikel Arteta in more than two years at the club, and has recently called Marseille ‘my club’ – implying he may not be keen on a return to north London.

“My wish is to finish the season well, to leave on a good note in case I don’t come back,” Saliba said in a recent interview.

“It would be my pleasure to come back no matter what, it’s not as if I know I’m not going to come back, it’s Marseille, it’s my club.”

Having helped Marseille to second place in Ligue 1 and a place in next season’s Champions League, Saliba admitted he would love to get a taste of that atmosphere.

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He added: “[Playing in] the Champions League with OM? When you see the atmosphere in the Conference League or in Ligue 1, I can’t even imagine what it would be like on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has revealed his confusion and frustration with his former club’s handling of Saliba’s situation.

The north London club’s all-time top goalscorer has questioned why the young defender was forced out of the Emirates Stadium before being given a real opportunity in the first team.

“They didn’t even let him make a mistake,” the Arsenal legend told Amazon Prime of his old club’s treatment of Saliba.

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“He left before an error. He didn’t even have the chance to compete for his place.

“What he is doing here is extraordinary. He was rewarded with a selection for the France team.

“At the moment, he belongs to Arsenal, I don’t know where he will end up. We have seen that it was a little difficult for him to express himself on the subject.

“What I know is that he could have been in the Arsenal group. I am not Mikel Arteta, but I found it difficult for him. Anyway, he responded well and that’s the most important thing.”