Mikel Arteta reveals the player that is unhappy and could leave in January

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted that he regrets the decision to leave William Saliba out of both the Europa and Premier League squad.

He also revealed that Saliba is disappointed and unhappy and might seek a move away from the club in the next transfer window.

According to reports from France Saliba is unhappy with his situation at Arsenal. The 19 year-old defender is yet to make an appearance for Arsenal.

It was expected that he would play a vital role for Arsenal after he returned from his loan spell at Saint-Etienne with an exciting possibility of a partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes. But he is yet to make an appearance for the senior side despite the several injured central defenders Arsenal have.

Saliba during a pre-season friendly match with MK Dons (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

In Arteta’s view Saliba “wasn’t ready” for the first team and had tried to send him back to Saint-Etienne for another loan spell.

Another loan spell for Saliba would have been understandable considering his previous one was hampered by an injury and the French League’s abrupt stop without resume.

“At the moment, with the amount of central defenders that we have in the team we had to leave him out of the squad which is painful because we have some injuries and we could have used him, but it’s part of this profession.” Arteta said.

Arteta agreed to the possibility of Saliba leaving on loan in January when asked.

“We certainly tried in the last few days of the transfer window to find the right club and we had it, but at the end of the day we could not make it [Saint Etienne deal collapsed].

“We will review his situation in the next few weeks, sit down with him as well and see what is the best thing to do. But it will depend on him and other players’ situations as well.”

It is best that Saliba goes somewhere were he’s playing regularly at a senior level to develop his game and improve rather than playing in the academy or sitting on the bench.

The more games he plays the more experience he’ll obtain and next season he’ll be ready to get integrated in the first team, after all he’s just 19.