Arsenal defender William Saliba has been nursing an injury problem as he looks to help France go all the way in this summer’s World Cup finals
William Saliba has reportedly missed a recent France training session as injury fears over the Arsenal defender grow. There have been concerns about the centre-back’s fitness heading into the World Cup, having struggled with a back injury for several weeks.
The 25-year-old is set to be a star man for Didier Deschamps side, with his nation one of the favourites to win this summer’s tournament. Saliba has been a mainstay for the Gunners en route to winning the Premier League title, but there have been some concerns about his fitness in the final few weeks of the season.
The Frenchman played 120 minutes for Mikel Arteta’s side in their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on May 30. However, some reports have claimed he could miss the competition in North America due to injury.
Saliba was absent from France’s 2-1 loss to the Ivory Coast, but started the game and played 45 minutes in the 3-1 win over Northern Ireland before jetting out to the United States. Now, French publication L’Équipe report that the defender missed Thursday’s training session, along with Adrien Rabiot.
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Les Bleus’ first game at the tournament is on Tuesday, June 16, against Senegal, before group games against Iraq and Norway.
Speaking to Telefoot before the clash against Northern Ireland, Deschamps revealed his plan for Saliba. He said: “All 26 players will be available for tomorrow’s match.
“He [Saliba] is being looked after by the medical staff, and we are also managing him based on how he feels.
“But it’s something he’s had for several weeks and it hasn’t prevented him from playing every match with Arsenal, including that final for 120 minutes.”
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Saliba has only trained twice with the France squad since linking up with them a week ago, but he was passed fit to fly out to the United States on Wednesday.
The Arsenal star has had scans on his back and treatment, but is said to be in much less pain than after the Champions League final last month.
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