SBOTOP : William Saliba Reveals Shock Twist: Arsenal Nearly Sold Him to Premier League Rival

William Saliba has revealed a surprising twist in his early career at Arsenal, admitting that he was once close to joining Premier League rivals Newcastle United or Crystal Palace during a difficult spell when he was not part of the club’s immediate plans.

Today, Saliba is widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in Europe and a cornerstone of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. But his journey to the top was anything but straightforward.

From Arsenal Signing to Uncertain Future

Saliba joined Arsenal from Saint-Étienne with huge expectations during the Unai Emery era. However, things did not go as planned.

Despite being a major signing, Saliba never made a senior appearance under Emery. When Mikel Arteta took over, the young defender still found himself on the outside looking in.

At that stage, Arsenal’s plans for him were far from clear, and his development path took a complicated turn.

Instead of integrating into the first team, Saliba was sent on multiple loan spells to gain experience and rebuild confidence.

Loan Spells That Changed Everything

One of the key turning points in Saliba’s career came during his time at Nice, where he finally played regular football.

The loan spell helped him:

1. Regain match fitness and rhythm
2. Build confidence in defensive duels
3. Adapt to senior-level physicality
4. Re-establish himself as a top young talent in France

However, even after returning from Nice, his future at Arsenal was still uncertain.

Saliba revealed that the club even instructed him not to attend pre-season at one point, as they searched for another loan destination.

Arsenal Considered Sending Him to Rival Clubs

In a revealing interview with L’Equipe, Saliba opened up about how close he came to joining another Premier League club.

He said:

“Arsenal wanted me to go to Newcastle United or Crystal Palace, but I didn’t want that.”

This moment highlights just how uncertain his situation was at the time. Instead of breaking into the Arsenal first team, he was being lined up for another temporary move within England.

But Saliba refused, choosing a different path that would ultimately shape his career.

Marseille Move That Rebuilt His Career

Faced with limited options, Saliba had to choose between Lille and Marseille. Financial issues at Lille eventually pushed him toward a loan move to Marseille.

At first, the decision was not easy.

Saliba admitted:

“Marseille is a big club, but also intimidating. The situation was crazy at the time; supporters even came to the training ground.”

Despite the pressure, the move proved to be a turning point in his career. Under manager Jorge Sampaoli, Saliba became a guaranteed starter and rediscovered his best form.

His time in Marseille helped him:

• Play consistent first-team football
• Gain tactical maturity
• Improve leadership at the back
• Earn a call-up to the French national team

By March of that season, Saliba had already made his debut for France, marking a major milestone in his rise.

The Breakthrough at Arsenal

After returning from Marseille, everything changed.

This time, Saliba was ready—and so was Arsenal.

He quickly became a key figure in Mikel Arteta’ssystem and has not looked back since. Over the past four seasons, he has developed into:

• A first-choice centre-back
• A leader in Arsenal’s defensive line
• A crucial partner to Gabriel Magalhães
• One of the most reliable defenders in Europe

His partnership with Gabriel is now widely considered one of the strongest defensive duos in world football.

What Changed for Saliba?

Saliba’s rise from uncertainty to stardom is a classic example of patience and development in modern football. Several key factors played a role in his transformation:

• Strategic loan spells in France
• Regular playing time at Marseille
• Strong mentality despite early setbacks
• Arsenal’s eventual trust under Arteta
• Continuous improvement in positioning and composure

Without those difficult early years, Saliba’s current success may never have materialized.

Arsenal’s Long-Term Defensive Anchor

Now firmly established at the heart of Arsenal’s defense, Saliba is seen as a long-term cornerstone of the club’s future.

His presence has helped Arsenal:

• Compete at the highest level in the Premier League
• Build one of the strongest defensive records in England
• Improve stability in big matches
• Develop a winning mentality under pressure

What once looked like a complicated career path has now turned into one of Arsenal’s biggest success stories.

Conclusion

William Saliba’s admission sheds light on how close he came to leaving Arsenal for Premier League rivals Newcastle United or Crystal Palace. Instead, his decision to take a different path—through Marseille—proved to be career-defining.

Today, he stands as one of Europe’s elite defenders and a vital part of Arsenal’s long-term project.

From uncertainty to dominance, Saliba’s journey is a reminder that sometimes the road away from the spotlight is what leads back to greatness.