After missing the final couple of months of last season, William Saliba was thrilled to be back in the thick of Premier League action, and help us beat Nottingham Forest.
The centre-back made his first league appearance since March and laid on a rare assist for Bukayo Saka’s thunderbolt which proved to be the difference between the sides.
And having come into our side at the start of last term and starting with five straight wins, he is well aware that a similar run this time round could once again kickstart a title challenge.
“It was really good to start the season with a win,” William said. “It’s never easy to win the first game in the league, and we have done a good game. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal in the last 10 minutes but it’s okay, we learn and will improve for the next game.
“It gives us confidence to start the season well. We know that we started last season well as well, so we want to keep going to win the second, third and fourth game etc.
“I didn’t realise immediately that it was me that I made the assist, it was after, and I was happy to give the assist to Bukayo. That’s good, it shows that everyone can assist and score.”
Having featured regularly throughout pre-season, the French international centre-back is pleased that he is able to play again after his troublesome back injury last term, and feels that playing in front of our supporters makes all the difference.
Upon being back in our side, he added: “I’m really, really happy. I’m not 100 per cent at the moment but I give everything to come back, because it’s been a long time. I didn’t play as I was injured, and I’m so happy to be with the team. The team and the staff helped me to get better and get back to my best.
“It’s always better [to play in front of our supporters]. You don’t feel pressure, you don’t feel any pain, it’s good.”
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