‘Locked up’ Saliba hits out at Arsenal manager Arteta

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 May 2021 14:09 BST
• 2 min read

Arsenal outcast William Saliba has hit out at manager Mikel Arteta after referring to himself as being “locked up” in a social media conversation involving Matteo Guendouzi and Nicolas Pepe.

Saliba was tipped for big things when he signed for Arsenal from Saint-Etienne for £27 million in the summer of 2019, with the Gunners beating local rivals Tottenham to his signature.

After spending last season on loan at Saint-Etienne, the teenage defender eventually arrived in north London ahead of the current campaign.

However, despite Arsenal struggling badly in the Premier League this season, Saliba is still yet to make his official debut for the club.

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He was not included in Arteta’s Premier League or Europa League squads and has only played for Arsenal’s Under-23 team.

On Saturday, Saliba vented his frustration at the situation in a social media exchange with team-mate Nicolas Pepe and Matteo Guendouzi, who is on loan from Arsenal at Hertha Berlin.

Guendouzi had posted on Instagram after continuing his fine form in Berlin with a goal against Borussia Monchengladbach.

After Pepe had jokingly mentioned to Saliba that “this is your problem, you comment on everything”, Saliba replied: “Hahaha, I’m sending well wishes to the brother that was locked up like me.”

Guendouzi had been frozen out of the Arsenal setup by Arteta last season following an on-field altercation with Brighton’s Neal Maupay, leading to him eventually being sent on loan to Hertha Berlin.

It remains to be seen how Saliba’s behaviour will affect his Arsenal future, with reports he may be moved on in January also.