---
title: "Arsenal: Gunners re-open discussions with Saint-Etienne over William Saliba"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-william-saliba-discussions-saint-etienne-loan/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Seychell"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2020-07-10T07:10:29Z"
modified: "2020-07-10T07:10:29Z"
---

# Arsenal: Gunners re-open discussions with Saint-Etienne over William Saliba

**Arsenal’s plans to allow [William Saliba](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-fc-transfer-rumours/william-saliba-profile/) to return to Saint-Etienne on a short-term loan deal to enable him to feature in the Coupe de France final [hit an impasse](https://www.arsenal.com/news/william-saliba-statement) as negotiations between the clubs broke down**

However, Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the situation which seems to suggest that talks have re-opened.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

According to [talkSPORT](https://talksport.com/football/720466/arsenal-news-live-ozil-gunners-saliba-transfers/), Arteta spoke out on whether the French defender could return to Ligue 1 for Saint-Etienne’s [Coupe de France](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/french-cup/scores-fixtures) final clash against Paris Saint-Germain on 24 July.

Despite the Gunners releasing a [statement](https://www.arsenal.com/news/william-saliba-statement) at the start of July saying that Saliba will not return for the match, Arteta has since said (via [talkSPORT](https://talksport.com/football/720466/arsenal-news-live-ozil-gunners-saliba-transfers/)): “The clubs are dealing with the situation. You know what happened in the last few days, I prefer to stay away from that.

“Hopefully they find a good agreement on the situation in good terms that helps the player as well. Yes \[it is still being discussed\].”

Saliba has had a good season, helping Saint-Etienne to reach the cup final and averaging 1.5 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per game whilst also managing 2.5 clearances per game, per [WhoScored.](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/361822/Show/William-Saliba)

Playing in a major cup final should be good experience for the 19-year-old and, if Les Verts were to upset the Ligue 1 champions and win it, that would represent a tremendous personal achievement for the player.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Arsenal will likely sanction the loan seeing as Saliba would be released for just one game and, judging by his performance figures this season, he seems to be a promising player for the future for the Gunners. Therefore, allowing him further game-time in France prior to next season seems like a no-brainer.

A stat from [Opta,](https://www.optasportspro.com/products/football/)via [AFTV Media,](https://twitter.com/AFTVMedia/status/1257256907959607297) highlights the quality he has at the centre of defence as he is the only outfield player in Europe to have played more than 900 minutes without committing a single foul from his attempted tackles.

\[freshpress-poll id=”300977″\]

Hopefully the two teams can come to an agreement and Saliba can round off his time at Saint-Etienne with a Coupe de France winner’s medal.

***Gunners fans, would you be happy for Saliba to go back on a short-term loan to Saint-Etienne? Let us know your thoughts below!***