Former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre says they shouldn't recall William Saliba next season.

The Frenchman is currently playing for Ligue 1 outfit Marseille on loan as he had done for both Nice and Saint-Etienne previously, having moved to England on a permanent deal from the latter in 2019.

But Silvestre, who played for the Gunners between 2008 and 2010, believes he needs more time out.

He said to Genting Casino: "If you look at Gabriel and Ben White, I think that should be the partnership for next season. If Saliba comes in, he will be a back-up.

"He is still young and I would be tempted to give him another year on loan so he can become even more consistent. He has improved on this loan, but there have been some games where he wasn't at his best level.

"To develop and to become a big part of Arsenal for the future, if you put him on the bench after playing a full season for Marseille, that would be a backwards step in his development. They have to make a big decision on his future."