Emmanuel Petit Names Arsenal's William Saliba As Best French Player In Premier League

Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes that William Saliba is the best French player in the Premier League right now.

Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes that William Saliba is the best French player in the Premier League right now.

Petit, 52, earned 63 caps for France during his playing career.

He won the World Cup with Les Bleus in 1998 and was also part of the squad that triumphed at Euro 2000 two years later.

Saliba, 22, only made his senior international debut last year and featured for just 27 minutes of France's World Cup campaign in Qatar.

But the center-back has been a key player at club level since returning to Arsenal at the start of last season following three loan spells in Ligue 1.

Saliba was named in the 2022/23 Premier League Team of the Season, despite having his campaign cut short by injury in March.

William Saliba pictured during his Premier League debut for Arsenal in August 2022 :: IMAGO/Action Plus/Katie Chan

When asked this week by FanNation Futbol to name the best French player in England, Petit replied: "I would have to say William Saliba. It's taken a few months to tie him down to that new contract, but I've been really impressed with how he has worked himself into the Arsenal team after going out on loan as well to Marseille.

"He wasn't the first option with [Arsenal manager Mikel] Arteta initially either, but he proved to be so influential and I was so frustrated with his injury - it came at literally the worst possible moment. It was so obvious to see how much of an impact that had on Arsenal's performances as well.

"Now he is going to be playing Champions League football, that will undoubtedly take his game to a new level, as it will for all of the Arsenal players. Premier League football is the highest level, but the Champions League will take these players up against elite football players every single week. So I expect to see Arsenal players improve even more."

Emmanuel Petit pictured playing for Chelsea in 2003 :: IMAGO/Colorsport

Saliba is understood to have agreed a new contract in principle with Arsenal that will tie him to the club for the next four years.

But Arsenal have not yet officially announced that this has been signed.

Saliba's previous deal had been due to expire in June 2024.

Petit was talking to FanNation Futbol on behalf of DAZN Bet.