Arsenal Under-21s head coach David Horseman has praised William Saliba's professionalism and humility after the French international featured for the club's development side on Sunday. Saliba is gradually working his way back to full fitness following a three-and-a-half-month absence and was given 45 minutes at Boreham Wood in a match against Aston Villa.
Horseman said Saliba's conduct around the squad stood out as much as his performance on the pitch. Speaking to Arsenal's official website, via football.london, Horseman said: "He's the ultimate professional from the minute he got in this morning to half-time. He's fine, by the way, it was all pre-planned, so nobody needs to panic."
Horseman added: "Just the way he was in the meeting, everything about him, the way he prepares on the bus, the lads probably won't notice it, but they should. The way he coaches and talks on the pitch, and then his quality, like the pass from Max to slip in Marcell for Andre's first goal. The detail of play, and he mixed his game up between short and long."
He continued: "Obviously, everybody knows he's a world-class defender, one of the best in the world, if not the best. It was brilliant, but he was so good around the lads, you'd never know it. He's a brilliant pro, great guy, and we're really thankful for him to act like that, because if he does it, there's no excuse for the rest not to do it. It was brilliant having him. I'd love him every week. Obviously, that'd be lovely, but he'll leave us soon and go back with the first team."
Saliba's distribution impressed at Meadow Park as he helped Arsenal's Under-21s to their opening league victory of the campaign. Fellow senior players Marli Salmon, who wore the armband, and Max Dowman also featured, with Dowman, Maalik Hashi and Evan Mooney among the goalscorers and Andre Harriman-Annous scoring twice.
Saliba returned to Arsenal's matchday squad last week, earning a place on the bench against Slavia Prague. Because Premier League rules limit managers to nine substitutes for domestic fixtures, the decision was made for Saliba to play for the Under-21s rather than join the senior squad against Hull City last weekend, allowing him to build up playing time.
Manager Mikel Arteta said last month that Saliba was continuing his rehabilitation from a back injury and was targeting a return in November or December.
