William Saliba will soon make his Arsenal debut - over a year after joining the club.
The defender signed from Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne last summer, but immediately went straight back on loan to his former club for the 2019/20 season.
It was a season that ended early in France, due to the Coronavirus pandemic that swept the Globe, with the French authorities deciding to call an end to the season back in March.
There were discussions between Arsenal and Saint-Etienne over Saliba playing in the Coupe de France final for his loan club, but an agreement couldn’t be reached and the player returned to the Emirates Stadium.
The teenager could now make his Gunners debut in a matter of weeks, when Arsenal take on Premier League Champions Liverpool in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on August 29.
In the build-up to that occasion, Saliba has opted to go for a new look, with the defender getting a fresh haircut that has seen him lose his distinctive blonde look.
The new look has gone down well with Arsenal fans on social media.
The change may have come after playful digs by new teammates Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who referred to the player as ‘Spaghetti’ during a clip posted on social media after the FA Cup win at the start of the month.
Arsenal could start the season with a new defensive partnership ahead of the fresh season, with the Gunners closing in on a deal for Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille.
Should a transfer be completed in time then both players could make their debut against Liverpool at the end of the month.
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