"There’s some kind of issue" - Journalist claims problem between Arteta and £27m Arsenal ace

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta must have ‘some kind of issue’ with William Saliba as the Marseille loanee is a better option than central defenders currently at the Emirates Stadium, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

Saliba was sent on a season-long loan to French giants Marseille last summer, with the 21-year-old clearly not featuring in Arteta’s plans.

Saliba has been in fine form for Marseille, with WhoScored rating him as the club’s second-best performer since the campaign got underway.

He has only missed 90 minutes of Ligue 1 action and regular game-time resulted in Saliba being rewarded with a maiden France cap in the international friendly win over Ivory Coast on Friday.

That means Saliba has represented his country before even making a senior Arsenal appearance despite the north Londoners parting with £27million to draft him in from Saint-Etienne close to three years ago.

Saliba has revealed being dropped to the Gunners’ under-23s by Arteta was ‘a good slap’ but he respects the Gunners chief’s decision.

However, the central defender’s Emirates Stadium contract – which is worth £40,000-per-week – is not due to expire until the summer of 2024, meaning he could still manage to force his way into his parent club’s backline upon his return from Marseille.

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Brown believes Saliba’s long wait for a chance in Arsenal’s first-team emphasises that he does not see eye-to-eye with Arteta.

The journalist reckons the Frenchman is hard done by as his Marseille form demonstrates he is a more promising option than others on the Gunners’ books.

Brown told GIVEMESPORT: “There is a case to suggest that he’s a better defender