Arsenal: Injured William Saliba left out of France squad to raise fresh fears
rsenal centre-back William Saliba is no closer to a return from injury after being left out of the latest France squad.
Saliba played a major part in Arsenal’s title challenge this season but has not played since suffering a back injury in their Europa League round of 16 second-leg clash against Sporting Lisbon in March.
The 22-year-old has won eight caps for France, including featuring at the 2022 World Cup where they were beaten in the final on penalties by Argentina. However, he is set to miss his second international break in a row having already missed out in late March.
France face Gibraltar and Greece in a Euro 2024 qualifying double header in mid-June. Manager Didier Deschamps has called up six centre-backs in Saliba’s absence: Axel Disasi, Wesley Fofana, Ibrahima Konate, Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano and Jules Kounde.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said recently of Saliba: “I think he’s evolving in the right way. In the last few weeks, [his progress] has been much more positive than in the previous two months. We’ve been pretty conservative to give him the best possible chance to have a go again next season.”
Asked whether Saliba could be back in time for the Gunners’ pre-season tour of the United States, Arteta replied: “It’s probably too early to say.”
