Saint-Etienne boss makes prediction over William Saliba's impact at Arsenal

Saint-Etienne boss Claude Puel has told Arsenal and Mikel Arteta that William Saliba is ‘ready’ to make an immediate impact in the Premier League.

The 19-year-old was signed in a £27 million deal last July but he remained on loan with Saint-Etienne for another season.

The remainder of the Ligue 1 campaign has now been cancelled in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which means Saliba’s time at Saint-Etienne is now at an end.

The centre-back now has the chance to link up with his new Arsenal teammates in training, although he will not be permitted to play for the Gunners if the current Premier League season resumes.

But Puel believes Saliba is in line to be a regular starter under Arteta at Arsenal.

‘He is ready,’ Puel said in an interview with The Athletic.

‘He is a fantastic player.

‘He is a young player but with a lot of maturity in his play. Also, in his life. He is a player with a good feeling and spirit.

‘It will be hard for us without him but I think it is a fantastic opportunity for Arsenal.

‘I think they need a good centre-back and have done for some time, and I think William is the right player.

‘I think he can play all the time in the first team at Arsenal.’

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