Highly-rated French defender William Saliba is joining us from Ligue 1 club Saint-Etienne on a long-term contract.

The much sought after centre half will spend a season back on loan at Saint-Etienne before joining our squad next summer.

Head coach Unai Emery said: “We’re delighted William is joining us. Many teams wanted him but he decided he wanted to come to us and be part of our future. He will stay in France next season for more experience and then we look forward to him joining our group.”

William signed his first contract at the age of 17. He made his professional debut with Saint-Etienne in a 3–2 Ligue 1 win over Toulouse on September 25, 2018. His performances earned him a further 13 starts in Ligue 1 last season.

The 18-year-old is also a French youth international, having recently been called up to the his country's under-20 squad.

The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.

Agent Guendouzi doing work:

Welcome To Arsenal
at long last we are back to signing young talents from France again

As much as we need a top CB right now, it is good that the club is spending money on the right players rather than just who is available right now if the ideal signings who could play right now are not available. It might hurt us next year but long-term, it will hopefully prove to be the right choice.

Black van Dijk.

*William Saliba’s former coach, Abdelaziz Kaddour, offers insight into the player
https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2019/william-salibas-former-coach-abdelaziz-kaddour-offers-insight-into-the-player/

*William Saliba – Player Analysis
https://pmanalytics.wordpress.com/2019/07/19/william-saliba-player-analysis/

*William Saliba, Player Profile
https://statsbomb.com/2019/07/william-saliba-player-profile/

William Saliba's journey to Arsenal | Access all areas:

*Analysis: An in-depth look at Saliba
https://www.arsenal.com/news/analysis-depth-look-saliba

William Saliba leading #ASSE fans chants after beating derby rivals #OL.#afc pic.twitter.com/9k2LtLsTum

— Gilles (@GrimandiTweets_) October 6, 2019

Came back from injury and turned St. Etienne's form around.

Has now broken his foot and will be out for several months.

He's going through his Arsenal imitation early it seems.

Well, to clarify, it was initially feared to be a broken metatarsus, but it might not be as bad as first feared.

https://onefootball.com/en/news/william-saliba-out-injured-but-not-as-badly-as-first-thought-en-27922987?variable=20191107

I'm so used to Arsenal players being injured forever though that I can't help worrying about the kid.