William Saliba will wear the number 4 shirt at Arsenal

William Saliba has been handed the number 4 shirt at Arsenal for next season. 

The 19 year old signed for Arsenal from Saint Etienne last summer but was loaned back to Les Verts for the 2019/20 season. He is one of Europe’s most highly rated young centre backs and is expected to add significant quality and security to Arsenal’s rearguard. 

Arsenal have handed him Mohamed Elneny’s number. The Egyptian has agreed to wear the number 25 shirt next season. Elneny has been on loan at Turkish club Besiktas since the start of the season and it is heavily reported that the Gunners will look to sell him permanently or loan him out again this summer. 

The French centre back began playing football at the age of 6 and was coached by Kylian Mbappe’s father. He joined Saint Etienne in 2016 and made his senior debut for the club in September 2018. In total, he made 36 appearances for Les Verts. Due to injury problems, he only made 17 appearances for the club in all competitions this season. 

Saint Etienne will face Paris Saint Germain in the Coupe de France final tomorrow but Saliba will not take part in the showpiece due to Les Verts and Arsenal failing to reach an agreement to extend his loan. He will link up with Arsenal in the near future as he gears up for his debut season in English football.