It’s been 18 long years since Arsenal last won three games on the bounce to start a Premier League season.

Mikel Arteta’s side have replicated the 2004 post-Invincibles side with a trio of wins to launch their campaign.

One of the highlights (from many) has been the stellar form of a young Frenchman whose future in red and white has been repeatedly questioned since he arrived three seasons ago.

We’re talking about William Saliba of course. He arrived to much fanfare in the summer of 2019 for £25m after Unai Emery and Raul Sanllehi landed the talented teenager from St Etienne.

Fast forward 36 months. Emery and Sanllehi might be long gone, but Saliba is now flourishing. Yet, after three loans during that time, back to his boyhood club Les Verts, then to Nice, followed by Marseille, it seemed at times it was hard to envisage a future in North London for the Bondy-born centre- back.

This writer was at the new Plough Lane to witness Saliba being sent off for Arsenal U21s against AFC Wimbledon prior to him being sent on loan to the south of France – and while we said at the time he had all the attributes to become a great player, the fact was he was simply too raw for the first team – certainly a struggling first team.

As with many things over the last few season, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been proved right. He knew that if he were to throw an unproven and inexperienced Saliba into his starting XI in a time of uncertainty, it could do serious harm to his development.

Arteta clearly played the long game and opted for Saliba to continue his progress away from the Premier League spotlight.

Which has led us to the fact that Arsenal now have a young, talented, accomplished central defender, who could go onto become a genuine force in this team for many years to come. An exciting prospect.

So, given the journey he’s been on so far, here’s three reasons why Saliba is shining for Arsenal

Goal! Bournemouth 0-3 Arsenal. My word what a strike from William Saliba! No wonder the travelling Gooners have been singing his name loud and proud all afternoon. An excellent effort from the talented Gunners centre-back pic.twitter.com/siOP0uzUPn

— Layth (@laythy29) August 20, 2022

1 – Mikel Arteta

As we can see from All of Nothing, Arteta cares deeply for this club and his players. Whatever the noise around the club, the boss always has the best interest of his players at heart. And for Saliba this meant his development away from the bright lights of Arsenal and the Premier League. While some might have questioned the future of a youngster who has had three loan spells over three seasons, it was always in Arteta’s masterplan that Saliba would return, if not the finished product, then certainly polished enough to play for the first team at the top level in England.

Now wonder Arteta deadpanned in his post-match press conference in the aftermath of the splendid 3-0 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday that “he [Saliba] had been practicing” the tremendous goal he scored ‘all week’. A fit, strong, young, athletic, talented, imposing centre-half who also scores goals? Yes, please.

When asked post-match if he thought his centre-back was capable of a strike of that quality, Arteta said: “To be fair, no. That is individual talent and a moment of quality that he showed today but I am really pleased with his performance.

“What he is doing at 21 years old is rare. He remains really humble. He wants to learn, he wants to train every day and he is really demanding of himself and he is giving a lot to the team.

“It is very important to get the clean sheet as well. Everybody is scoring goals and that's good.”

2 – Saliba dominates in the air

To be a successful centre-back in England you have to be strong in the air. And that is what Saliba has in his armoury. Time after time, the 21-year-old dominated Bournemouth’s aerial threat. Whether it be the hulking Kieffer Moore, or Marcus Tavernier, Saliba was effortlessly superior. Of course, it’s still early days, and he is still prone to the odd mishap – even if his own goal last week against Leicester was unlucky – but the fact is Saliba has the physicality to compete against the strongest forwards. Not to mention an impressive turn of pace, allied with an excellent technique. As witnessed by his impudent strike for the Gunners third to seal victory on the south coast.

The travelling Arsenal supporters chorus Saliba’s name here at Bournemouth pic.twitter.com/qbSFLgaruc

— Layth (@laythy29) August 20, 2022

3 – Saliba knows he is loved

For those of us who were at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, a feature of the match was the incessant singing from the loyal and vociferous travelling support. It was as heartening to hear as it was loud. And the song they sang the most was a new ditty in honour of Arsenal’s talented French defender. There aren’t many words – just one as you’ll no doubt know by now – but it was an indication of just how much love there is for Saliba after his journey over the last three years. Fans know it’s been hard for him, but he’s come through it to shine. And if there’s one thing Arsenal supporters love it’s one of our own showing great character. And when your team-mates love you, your boss loves you – and the fans love you, then it’s a wonderful situation to thrive in. Which is exactly what Saliba is doing right now. Long may it continue.