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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="betting-e2">{"type":"betting-e2","data":{"key":{"mobile":"fb9f812b41240655c161bb3d4ad2cf3f","desktop":"671024543858da3e0dfea5d9450ab1a4"}}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Frenchman started out as a forward</li><li>Needed to change his attitude</li><li>Now a key figure for the Gunners</li></ul>

‘Sulk a lot!’ - Arsenal star William Saliba in ‘lazy’ admission as he reflects on transformation from moody striker to commanding centre-half

<p>In his younger days, the 22-year-old Frenchman felt more at home scoring goals than trying to keep them out. He does, however, concede that his attitude was not the best back then and that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/saliba-dominate-europe-years-arsenal-winners-losers-ratings-aubameyang-flops-chelsea-gunners-reunion/blt0a6d40723684e91e" target="_blank">a positional change has served him well</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Saliba has told Arsenal’s <a href="https://www.arsenal.com/news/saliba-sulking-striker-turned-devoted-defender  " target="_blank"><em>official website</em></a> of his progression to this point: “I always wanted to win. That’s all I wanted when I was a young player. I wanted to win every game and that’s what really motivated me at that age. I wanted to score in every game, but I wouldn’t say I was a selfish player. Some strikers are selfish, but I also looked for my team-mates too. I have to be honest though, and say I was a lazy player. Yes I was lazy, and also I would sulk quite a lot. My manager would always tell me off for sulking, for being lazy in training. This is maybe why I wasn’t captain! As I said, I was young in my head, but then I grew up. My coaches helped me a lot at that age. I realised how you had to be on the pitch and I changed.”</p>

WHAT THEY SAID

<p>Arsenal bought into Saliba’s potential back in 2019. He had to be patient in pursuit of regular opportunities, as a couple of loan spells were put in place, but he is now <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/saliba-arsenal-fan-chant-gunners-defender-verdict/bltc25952bcd833d7b9 " target="_blank">a key component in an exciting young squad</a> that has big ambition. Saliba added on the present: “We have very good atmosphere here. Every day we have a laugh, we have a joke, we like being round each other, but when we are on the pitch we go hard and we are serious. It’s important to have both – you cannot do one without the other.”</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Saliba took in <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/william-saliba-agrees-four-year-arsenal-contract-gunners-summer-transfer-window/blt212b933b383c428a" target="_blank">33 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions</a> last season, helping them to a runners-up finish in the Premier League and qualification for the Champions League, and has played every minute of the club’s four games in 2023-24.</p>

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

‘Sulk a lot!’ - Arsenal star William Saliba in ‘lazy’ admission as he reflects on transformation from moody striker to commanding centre-half | Goal.com South Africa

William Saliba admits that he used to be a “lazy” player, with the Arsenal star being transformed from a sulky striker into a commanding centre-half.

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