William Saliba has handed Mikel Arteta another stern selection dilemma as the 20-year-old defender continued his impressive loan spell at Marseille.
The France youth international held Paris Saint Germain to a fiercely contested goalless draw in Le Classique as doubt resurfaces as to whether Saliba should replace Ben White upon his return at the end of the season.
White impressed in the Gunners' 3-1 win over Aston Villa yet he still faces questions surrounding whether he deserves a starring role in Arteta's side next season.
While Arsenal's £50 million centre-half from Brighton was nullifying the advances of Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, Saliba one-upped White to better effect against the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
Tom Canton, Umar Choudhry and Bailey Keogh spoke on The Arsenal Way to discuss Saliba's impressive display for Marseille against PSG and whether the young defender could uproot White from Arteta's starting eleven.
Choudhry kickstarted the discussion by highlighting how the Frenchman is getting opportunities he wouldn't have at the Gunners this season, whether it be in Europe or against Lionel Messi.
"At the start of the season there was a lot of talk as to whether Saliba was going back on loan but this season he's gained confidence each game," he began.
"He's playing against the likes of Messi, Neymar, [Kylian] Mbappe. In the previous game in the Europa League he played against [Ciro] Immobile, so he's playing week in week out against top strikers.
"He's learning and he probably wouldn't have had this chance at Arsenal."
Choudhry then continued by claiming that had Saliba stayed at the Emirates this season then he may not have developed so well as he has.
"I think he would've been in and around the midst of the first-team; playing league cup games or if there's an injury," he said.
"It wouldn't have been good for his development. He's playing weekly under a good coach in [Jorge] Sampaoli so he's learning game by game. It's good for his progression, his development."
Keogh then concluded by declaring that he would take Saliba over White before Canton interrupted, absolutely bemused by what he just heard.
"I like Saliba possibly over Ben White," Keogh said.
"You watched Ben White on Friday right, he was amazing," Canton replied, as Keogh began to back track.
"I can praise Saliba without criticising Ben White. White is excellent but Saliba, there's something I like about him. There's something about him.
"If Saliba gets to the Premier League then he will be better than Ben White. I'm really excited to see him next season!"
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