Arsenal exits could see Saliba handed a new number
Cameron Smith
- 8 Aug 2022 16:21 BST
- 3 min read
Arsenal defender William Saliba could be in line for a new shirt number at the club if there are more departures this transfer window.
The 21-year-old, who is now a fully-fledged France international, wore the number 12 shirt during Arsenal's 2-0 opening day victory over Crystal Palace, a game in which he was handed the Man of the Match award.
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Saliba spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Marseille, but has returned to the Arsenal fold and after an impressive pre-season, he is set to be given an important role in Mikel Arteta's team this campaign.
Saliba wore the number two shirt during his sole year on loan at Marseille, but that number wasn't available when he joined Arsenal back in 2020, as it was taken by Hector Bellerin.
Like Saliba, Bellerin spent last season away from Arsenal, with the Spaniard returning to his homeland with a one-year loan move to Real Betis. With Takehiro Tomiyasu signed last summer, and Ben White filling in at right-back against Crystal Palace, it's believed that Bellerin may be surplus to requirements and hence might move on.
Former Gunners forward Kevin Campbell told Football Insider: "I expect [Pablo] Mari and Bellerin to leave. Bellerin has been a good servant but there is no point keeping him when his time is up. Saliba wants his number two shirt as well. It is one of those things. It has to happen."
He also added: "[Ainsley] Maitland-Niles is one I’m not sure on. It might be a loan move for him. Reiss Nelson might also have to leave on loan. He has looked alright in pre-season but the standards and levels at Arsenal are going up.
"You cannot carry dead wood. Some of these guys might be used as squad players and may well be the Hale End boys."
Would Saliba be allowed take the number two shirt?
Although the Premier League season has begun, Saliba would be able to change his number if the previous holder, in this case Bellerin, has left the club. That is per the Premier League's rules on changing shirt numbers during the season.
Manchester United required special allowance last summer to enable Cristiano Ronaldo to wear the number seven shirt. He took the number off Edinson Cavani, with the shirt number change only allowed to happen because Cavani took the number 21 shirt, which was vacant due to Daniel James' move to Leeds United.
However, it would depend on whether Saliba wishes to change his shirt number, or if he would like to keep the number 12 shirt and make it his own.
