Arsenal have hit back at Saint-Etienne after the Ligue 1 club slammed the Gunners for not allowing William Saliba to see out the remainder of the season in France.
The north Londoners paid £27 million ($33m) to sign the centre-back last summer, on the proviso that the Paris-born teenager would remain with ASSE on loan for the 2019-20 campaign.
The rescheduling of fixtures due to the coronavirus pandemic saw the Coupe de France pushed back to July 24, however, almost a month after Saliba was due to arrive in London.
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Head coach Mikel Arteta had originally expected the defender to take part in the cup clash against Paris Saint-Germain with Arsenal's permission , but Saliba has since departed.