Arsenal include William Saliba in Premier League squad… and it could reap dividends in the future
WILLIAM SALIBA has been included in Arsenal's 49-man Premier League squad this season despite being loaned back to Saint-Etienne for the campaign.
In what could turn out to be a genius move by the Gunners, the French centre-back is in line to qualify as a homegrown player.
Saliba, 18, joined the North London side in the summer for £27million with the club fending off interest from rivals Tottenham.
As part of the arrangement with St-Etienne, the teenage defender was loaned back to the Ligue 1 side.
But that hasn't stopped Arsenal from naming him in their squad, with Saliba able to qualify as a homegrown player should he be registered in the next two seasons.
Players don't need to be English to be able to qualify as homegrown, but they must have spent at least three years at an English club before they turn 21.
Premier League teams can only name a maximum of 17 non-homegrown players each year in their 25-man squad, while they can submit as many players under the age of 21 as they want.
Arsenal currently only have six homegrown players in their squad over 21 in the shape of Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Emiliano Martinez, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Matt Macey.
LATEST ARSENAL NEWS
Saliba is yet to feature this season having undergone an operation to fix the adductor injury that caused him discomfort since the end of last campaign.
An agreement was in place between Arsenal and St-Etienne for the operation to go ahead.
It is expected that he will be back in action next month, with St-Etienne coach Ghislain Printan stressing they will ease him back into the starting XI.