William Saliba rejected two Premier League moves in order to work his way into becoming an Arsenal powerhouse.
The defender was just 18 when Arsenal paid £27m to sign him from French outfit Saint-Etienne in 2019 before the Gunners sent him back there on loan.
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He then turned out for Nice in 2021 before spending the entirety of the 2021/22 Ligue 1 season with Marseille.
Saliba’s fine performances there ultimately convinced Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta he was ready for a regular first-team spot.
And in the years since, the 25-year-old has established himself as one of the finest defenders in world football where his partnership with Gabriel key to the Gunners being crowned Premier League champions.
However, the France international revealed he was told to not report for pre-season training the summer he moved to Marseille as his progress stalled.
“Arsenal wanted me to go to Newcastle United or Crystal Palace, but I didn’t want to [do that],” Saliba told L’Equipe.
“I remember that summer, it was either Lille or Marseille. I was on the verge of joining Lille but there was a financial problem.”
While money problems blocked one move, he was reluctant about the other.
“Marseille is a big club, but it is scary,” he continued. “It was the season where it was a bit crazy, where the supporters had gone to the training ground].
“But, with my agent, we said: ‘Marseille, if you go there and have a good season, it is the team in France and things can move quickly. [manager] Jorge Sampaoli really wanted me.
“I went to Marseille and things moved so quickly. I played almost all of the matches. My value rose again. I started having fun again.
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“By March, I was playing my first matches for France. It was an incredible year.
“I honestly loved Marseille: the supporters, the club, my teammates… football is like that.
“You build again from the bottom; it’s not a problem. Buckle up. If you do things well, you’ll get back to the top.”
Saliba was instrumental for Arsenal as they pipped Manchester City to the Premier League title last season, ending a 22-year wait for the top domestic prize in the process.
And he’s played the full 90 minutes in France’s two opening World Cup wins over Senegal and Iraq.
France round off the group stage campaign against Norway on Friday.
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