Arsenal defender William Saliba will not play for Saint-Etienne in the French Cup final next weekend, manager Claude Puel has confirmed.
The 19-year-old was immediately loaned back to the French club after signing for Arsenal in a £27million deal last summer, where he played just 17 games in all competitions after struggling with a foot injury.
While France's Ligue 1 was brought to a halt back in March due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the Cup was rescheduled for next weekend, with Saint-Etienne due to face Paris-Saint Germain.
Mikel Arteta originally gave his backing for Saliba to compete in the final, but Puel has now confirmed that will not happen after the clubs failed to reach a compromise deal.
"Yes, William Saliba will be absent," Puel confirmed on Thursday.
The defender was reportedly disappointed by the two clubs' inability to reach a compromise, with Les Verts last month issuing a statement in which they stated Arsenal had "imposed absolutely unacceptable sports and financial conditions".
Arsenal claimed it was Saliba's safety they were concerned about, however, stating the French club had been unwilling to follow Arsenal's training programme designed to protect the youngster's welfare.
"Throughout our discussions with St Etienne, our aim has been to protect the welfare of William Saliba as well as the interests of Arsenal Football Club, while honouring the terms of the loan," a statement read.
"Despite the loan ending on June 30, we were willing to find a way for William to play in the [French] cup final on July 24, despite having no contractual obligation to do so."
