Arsenal star William Saliba sends message as Ligue 1 deal agreed
William Saliba has proven to be one of Arsenal’s best players in recent years.
With Mikel Arteta looking to guide Arsenal to a Premier League title this season, the centre-back has proven to be key to their early success this season.
As a result, there have been attempts from other European sides to sign Saliba, with Real Madrid an interested party in the summer.
However, while a move is yet to transpire, the defender has been quick to react to Ethan Nwaneri’s recent loan move to Marseille.
William Saliba reacts as Ethan Nwaneri completes loan move to Marseille
Nwaneri is seen as one of Arsenal’s best upcoming youngsters.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder made his Premier League debut when he was just 15 years old, coming off the bench against Brentford in September 2022.
Since then, he has made 51 appearances for the Gunners’ first team, scoring 10 times, including twice in the Champions League.
Recently, Nwaneri had been regularly linked away from Arsenal this transfer window, with Everton being one interested party.
However, Nwaneri has completed a loan move to Ligue 1 side Marseille until the end of the season after struggling for game time at the Gunners.
Upon announcing the deal on their Instagram on plenty of players reacted to the news, including Man United star Saliba.
The defender simply commented four fire emojis under the post.
What has Mikel Arteta said about Nwaneri’s move to Marseille?
For Nwaneri, it is a big step for the youngster as he looks to get regular first-team minutes for the first time in his career.
While the 18-year-old has made plenty of first-team appearances for the Gunners, he will likely be a regular in Ligue 1.
At the French side, the attacking midfielder will be competing near the top of the Ligue 1 table, with Marseille currently third, and will receive Champions League football, with the side likely to qualify for the next round.
As a result, Mikel Arteta is excited to see what the youngster can do out on loan.
When speaking to TNT Sports on 23 January, the Arsenal manager stated that Nwaneri was being “thrown to the sharks” upon the completion of the deal.
From London to Marseille
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 23, 2026
Welcome to Ligue 1, Ethan Nwaneri! 💙 pic.twitter.com/ABnqYF8uAp
He said: “The talented young players that we have need minutes and Ethan wasn’t getting enough minutes.
“The last thing we want to do is cut his development because he’s such a talent. He lives and breathes football – that’s his life.
“The first thing is excitement because you speak to the manager, he’s very keen on you, and you’re going to start a lot of games, and that’s all very good. But then you have to go: ‘Okay, pack your bags, here are the flight tickets to Marseille.’
“And then there is the fear and the insecurity of getting out of a place that has been really comfortable for him [Nwaneri].
“At the end you have to be thrown to the sharks in an incredible football atmosphere, and it’s going to make him so good.”