Mikel Arteta says he sent William Saliba out on loan because keeping him at Arsenal would be "damaging" to his progression.
Arteta admits the centre-back's situation was made problematic by the Covid-19 pandemic, which cut short his game time while on loan at Saint Etienne last season.
As a result, Saliba arrived at Arsenal this summer having not had a year to develop, meaning he wasn't ready to be thrown in the deep end at Arsenal.
Arteta admits this was an issue, and one he was keen to rectify, but insists the young defender, who is now on loan at Nice, does have a future in north London.
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