It's official, William Saliba is Arsenal's new no.4.
The French defender joined the Gunners for £27m during the summer transfer window just under 12 months ago, but was immediately loaned back to Ligue 1 outfit Saint-Etienne for the 2019/20 season to continue his development.
However, before heading back to France, Saliba hadn't been allocated a squad number.
At one stage it appeared the Gunners had spoiled the big announcement.
Earlier in the season, Saliba made a return to London Colney as part of his rehabilitation programme from a groin injury that delayed his start to the campaign.
It was during this period that the defender was seen training in the no.17 shirt, which became vacant following Alex Iwobi's summer move to Everton.
Although Cedric Soares took over that number when he joined on loan from Southampton in the January transfer window and now that he's signed permanently, there was no chance that would be Saliba's shirt number.
Instead, it has been confirmed that Saliba will wear the no.4 from next season.
Of course, this particular shirt number was Mohamed Elneny's, but the forgotten midfielder has agreed to move to no.25 in order to vacate it for Saliba.
And judging by Saliba's Instagram profile page, no.4 is his dream shirt number and what he's worn in the past two seasons for Saint-Etienne.
Saliba is back at Arsenal after it was confirmed the young defender won’t play in the Coupe de France final against Paris Saint-Germain on July 24.
Saint-Etienne boss Claude Puel seemingly confirming last week that they’d failed to come to an agreement with the Gunners.
Speaking about his team news ahead of the final, Puel said: “Yes, William Saliba will be absent in the final.”
