William, born in Bondy, north-eastern Paris, in 2001, idolized the iconic Gunners forward, who would lead Arsenal out as captain five years later in 2006 in the Champions League final in Paris, barely ten km from our No. 12. William was football-crаzy by then. He believes his passion of the game inspired him to play. All he wаnted was to play football full-time.

“I was always playing football as a kid,” he explains. Ever since I can remember, I loved football. It was my lifelong desire to become a professional player since I was three. “It wasn’t from my family because they didn’t like football like I did,” he says. But they handed me a ball when I was a little kid, and I’ve played football ever since. No other sports interested me — football was my favorite. I played sprint events in athletics for one year, but I always played football and joined a club at six.”

He loved watching as much as playing, starting with the France national team, which was world and European champions when he was born. Soon he played club football more. Arsenal was also in its heyday, and it was a French team. William’s favorite team was soon us.

As a child, William Saliba wore his Arsenal shirt and watched all Champions League games. Our networks didn’t allow me to view the other games, but I watched Arsenal in the Champions League for the first time. I had an Arsenal shirt when I was 7 or 8. I enjoyed Arsenal. “I wore Henry on my back—he was my idol. I liked watching him. Arsene Wenger managed Arsenal, thus there were many French ties. I recall watching the major Champions League games, especially versus Barcelona, but also the others.”

William aspired to be like Thierry as a child. Given that Kylian Mbappe’s father coached him at his first club, he began out as a forward before becoming one of the continent’s most promising young defenders.

“Where I’m from in France, everybody plays football,” he says. Bondy has many big footballers like Kylian Mbappe, Jonathan Ikone, and others, so many play there. I wasn’t always defending. I played striker in the academy till age 12. I played some midfield before switching clubs and became a defender.

I joined Montfermeil, and we played on a full-size pitch at that age. After the coach suggested, ‘Let me try you at centre back,’ I never changed. I liked playing there since I was tall for my age, and I started observing defenders to learn. I studied all the top defenders, especially Virgil van Dijk, to improve. ‘Wilo’ became a standout central defender, and Saint-Etienne, 500km south of Paris, signed him again at 15. After becoming pro at 17, he made 16 Ligue 1 matches in his first season.

Arsenal came calling, and we signed the highly-rated 18-year-old in July 2019. Despite outside attention, William thinks it was a simple decision. “This is a special club,” he explains. “You know you’ll be happy if Arsenal wants you. No deliberation or reflection was needed; it was a simple choice. Once Arsenal wаnted me, I wаnted to come.”

However, joining Arsenal and playing there were extremely different. He returned to Saint-Etienne for another season to continue his development after the transfer. Plan worked well. He was a regular starter until ιnjury ended his season, although he helped his team reach their first French Cup final since 1982.

After the season, he returned to the Gunners, now under Mikel Arteta, and made his first-team debut against Liverpool in the Community Shield at Wembley as an unused substitute.

Arsenal was undergoing a major overhaul under Arteta, and the young defender had no place in our 25-man team. After a loan spell at Nice, he joined Marseille for the entire 2021/22 season.

His career accelerated in southern France. In a remarkable year, he made over 50 games in all competitions, helped his team to the Europa Conference semi-final, qualified for the Champions League, was voted Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, and made his professional debut for France. Arsenal fans were eager to see him play this season.

“While on loan, knowing Arsenal was watching me, in touch with me, and that I would soon be back here motivated me every day,” he says. It was my goal to return to the club and play, so I had to bаttle and train hard while away.

I knew the club supported me because someone wrote to me every week with advise and encouragement, even though I was in France.

“Having the fans’ support while on loan was special and helped me a lot. Naturally, seeing some on social media helped me play. To thank supporters for their support, I want to give something back.”

He has been repaying them since his spectacular debut against Crystal Palace on the opening day, 1,107 days after signing. He started with a win at Emirates Stadium, but he scored an own goal against Leicester City in a 4-2 win on his home debut. He made up for it away to Bournemouth the following day. He scored a left-foot screamer to complete his south coast defensive masterclass.

William Saliba after 3-0 win over Bournemouth

His chant was developed after he heard the song in the first half and was so thrilled. I was thrilled and it helped me focus on the game. It was awesome. Because the crowd aided me all game, I went to thank them afterward.

They supported me even in the Leicester game. I was touched by the fans’ reaction after the own goal, but I wasn’t surprised since I know how good they are. I appreciate it—great to hear.”

He believes the reaction has helped him settle in London, his first time living outside France, though he’s still adjusting to some English customs.

He laughs, “The food!” “The food is different but good here. Being from Paris, I think London is similar to France because it’s another metropolis. The English people are different, and I’m still learning the language, but it’s okay.

My family will come this month to watch me play, but just my friends have so far. I talk to my sister and brother often. They appreciate the fans’ song for me and are thrilled with how things are going!

William Saliba celebrates beating Brentford

Happy on and off the pitch. Although only 21, William has a bright future. Growing up and three loan spells have all helped him, but now he wants to deliver for the club. Club is his.

“Yes, now I want to win everything,” he says. “I want to help the club win again. I’ll do anything for this club to get back there.

I’ve struggled at Arsenal not playing all the time, but sport is like this. Good times are part of life. That’s history. I’m concentrating on the now and future. I want to work hard and improve for Arsenal every day.”