William Saliba says he still wants the chance to impress at Arsenal, insisting he’s returning to the Gunners this summer.

Marseille's French defender William Saliba reacts after missing a goal opportunity during the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final second leg football match between Feyenoord and Olympique de Marseille (OM) Feyenoord stadium de Kuip in Rotterdam,on April 28, 2022. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)
Marseille’s French defender William Saliba reacts after missing a goal opportunity during the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final second leg football match between Feyenoord and Olympique de Marseille (OM) Feyenoord stadium de Kuip in Rotterdam,on April 28, 2022. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking in an interview with Telefoot released on Sunday morning, William Saliba spoke about his future.

Saliba is under contract with Arsenal until 2024, but his strong loan spell with Marseille has raised the possibility that he could return to the French club on a permanent basis – particularly after they qualified for the Champions League.

Yet Saliba has suggested his immediate focus is on Arsenal, where he still has something to prove.

“I belong to Arsenal,” Saliba said. “I still have two years left. I will be at pre-season with Arsenal.

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“I have played zero matches and I still want to show them my true face and have the chance to play for these fans and this great club.”

But as a word of caution, Saliba added that he’s not the only one involved in the decision-making process.

“It doesn’t just depend on me,” Saliba continued. “In any case, to leave like this, would be a shame.”

Marseille's French defender William Saliba (C) runs with the ball during the French L1 football match between Olympique Marseille (OM) and Lyon (OL) at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, southern France, on May 1, 2022. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Marseille’s French defender William Saliba (C) runs with the ball during the French L1 football match between Olympique Marseille (OM) and Lyon (OL) at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, southern France, on May 1, 2022. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)

L’Equipe report that Arsenal plan to keep William Saliba this summer and extend his contract.

Arsenal’s reported stance seems to be backed up by Mikel Arteta’s recent quotes on the subject, speaking to RMC Sport.

“He has to come back,” Arteta said. “He has the experience and the necessary environment to be competitive with us.

“If he had stayed with us this year, with one Premier League game a week and with Ben White and Gabriel, he wouldn’t have had half the game time he had with Marseille, that’s for sure.

“In terms of his growth and what he could do next year, it wouldn’t have been good. William wasn’t with us because he wouldn’t have had the playing time required to gain experience. That’s it, nothing else.”

A France international and Young Player of the Year award winner coming off the back of a 51-game season with a top-two club in Ligue 1 at just 21 years old, Saliba’s future gives us plenty to be excited about.

Arsenal now need to give Saliba consistent chances on the pitch, so he wants to stick around for that future.

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