Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta must have 'some kind of issue' with William Saliba as the Marseille loanee is a better option than central defenders currently at the Emirates Stadium, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

Saliba was sent on a season-long loan to French giants Marseille last summer, with the 21-year-old clearly not featuring in Arteta's plans.

What's the latest news involving Saliba?

Saliba has been in fine form for Marseille, with WhoScored rating him as the club's second-best performer since the campaign got underway.

He has only missed 90 minutes of Ligue 1 action and regular game-time resulted in Saliba being rewarded with a maiden France cap in the international friendly win over Ivory Coast on Friday.

That means Saliba has represented his country before even making a senior Arsenal appearance despite the north Londoners parting with £27million to draft him in from Saint-Etienne close to three years ago.

Saliba has revealed being dropped to the Gunners' under-23s by Arteta was 'a good slap' but he respects the Gunners chief's decision.

However, the central defender's Emirates Stadium contract - which is worth £40,000-per-week - is not due to expire until the summer of 2024, meaning he could still manage to force his way into his parent club's backline upon his return from Marseille.

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What has Paul Brown said about Saliba?

Brown believes Saliba's long wait for a chance in Arsenal's first-team emphasises that he does not see eye-to-eye with Arteta.

The journalist reckons the Frenchman is hard done by as his Marseille form demonstrates he is a more promising option than others on the Gunners' books.

Brown told GIVEMESPORT: "There is a case to suggest that he's a better defender than some of the players in the squad at the moment.

"Maybe he doesn't quite offer what Arteta wants in matches. Whatever it is, there's some kind of issue there."

What are Arsenal's current centre-half options?

Just a matter of days after Saliba's temporary departure for Marseille, Arteta opted to splash the cash and pay £50million to sign Ben White from Brighton & Hove Albion.

White has gone on to establish himself as a key component of the Gunners' defence, with him only missing two Premier League encounters since swapping the south coast for north London.

Gabriel has regularly partnered White at the heart of Arsenal's backline, with him chalking up 28 appearances and showing his threat in the opposition's penalty area by registering three goals.

Rob Holding has, on the whole, been the pair's understudy and been restricted to four Premier League starts this season.