Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has claimed that William Saliba can only benefit from spending time on loan at Nice.

After failing to make a senior appearance during the first half of the season, Saliba has earned regular game time during his return to Ligue 1.

Despite making 12 starts since the turn of the year, it remains unclear whether the 20-year-old will challenge for a spot in Mikel Arteta's squad later in 2021.

Nevertheless, Sagna feels that Saliba should take the positives from spending time back in his homeland, suggesting that the experience could pay off in the long term.

Speaking to Goal, Sagna said: "Being good in France is totally different to proving himself in the Premier League. I still have trust in him, I think he is a good player and he can adapt to Arsenal because I've seen him play many times.

"He is doing well at Nice and has probably been their best player. At that age you need to be playing. He has big potential and in France people know it.

"Sending him away is not a bad thing, it's not a punishment. To me it's clever to send him on loan rather than him being on the bench or not even being in the squad."

Saliba has a contract at the Emirates Stadium until 2024. body check tags ::