Dimitri Payet questions Arsenal's judgement on William Saliba

Dimitri Payet has questioned Arsenal's use of centre-back William Saliba, who is currently a teammate of the former West Ham man on loan at Marseille.

The Gunners signed Saliba in 2019 to much fanfare, but he has so far been overlooked at the Emirates Stadium by head coach Mikel Arteta.

The France Under-21 international was handed the number four shirt and was involved in pre-season when he joined up with his new team in 2020, before being omitted from the first-team squad.

Having impressed during the second half of last season with Nice, the 20-year-old is now lining up alongside Payet at Marseille's Stade Velodrome where he has made further strides towards becoming the top defender that many Arsenal supporters predicted he would be.

Attacking midfielder Payet has been mightily impressed by what he's seen too, and seemed to question Arsenal's judgement in sending the player out on loan and not giving him a chance in north London.

Although OM currently sit fifth in Ligue 1 they have the second best defensive record in the division, and Saliba has played every minute of the campaign so far.

Speaking in an interview with L'Equipe (via Metro), Payet said: "The new ones have all brought something different. After that, I am closer to younger players.

"So, the one that impresses me the most is Willie [Saliba]. Considering what he’s been doing since the start of the season, I don’t understand why he hasn’t played more for Arsenal."

Although Saliba is yet to be given an opportunity at his parent club, it seems he may not have to wait too much longer.

It was revealed last week that the young Frenchman is in Arsenal's long-term plans once he has a full season as a starting centre-back under his belt, with the Gunners very happy with how he is progressing so far this campaign.