Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists there was never any doubt about William Saliba's commitment.
Throughout the summer, Saliba was linked with Olympique Marseille after last season's successful loan.
But Arteta, after Saliba's outstanding debut in the win at Crystal Palace on Friday, said: "The reality is that he was very convinced and determined to come here.
"From the first conversations I had with him, you could see that he had only one intention - to come here and start playing games for Arsenal."
Saliba now boasts five caps with France thanks to last season's loan with OM.