On-loan Arsenal defender, William Saliba, has admitted Mikel Arteta “hurt” him by not giving him enough chances to show his worth.

The 19-year-old arrived at the Emirates Stadium in 2019 from Saint-Etienne in a £27 million deal.

He then spent the 2019/2020 season on loan at the Ligue 1 club under the terms of the transfer.

But when he came to London, he found opportunities limited under Arteta.

Saliba failed to make a single appearance for Arsenal and has now returned to France to join Nice on loan.

“I really, really, really didn’t think that I would be transferred for almost €30m,” the youngster explained to TF1.

“To think that I would arrive, where people were expecting a lot from me, the fans were excited about me and you find yourself in the reserves, playing zero – nothing in the Europa League or the Premier League.

“I was in the squad once in the EFL Cup. It hurt me, it affected me. I don’t think I left too early. When you feel ready you have to go. These things happen. I believe in myself.”

DailyPost