Arsenal defender William Saliba is facing a race against time to be fit for the World Cup after picking up an injury during Saturday’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Saliba, 25, played the full 120 minutes of the showpiece Budapest final as Mikel Arteta’s side were beaten by PSG on penalties, following a 1-1 draw after extra-time. Gabriel Magalhaes blazed the decisive spot-kick over the bar as the Gunners fell short of claiming Europe’s premier club trophy for the first time.
However, according to Foot Mercato, Saliba had been carrying a minor injury into the match, which was worsened during the defeat to PSG at the Puskas Arena. It is reported that Saliba’s latest setback could potentially jeopardise his place at the forthcoming World Cup in North America, which is scheduled to kick off on Thursday, June 11.
Saliba has cemented his place in France’s preferred centre-back partnership alongside Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano. Nevertheless, manager Didier Deschamps may be forced to reshape his central defensive unit, at least for the opening stages of the World Cup, with France’s first fixture falling on Tuesday, June 16 against Senegal.
Saliba could reportedly be sidelined for ‘several weeks’ and his condition is a ‘concern’ for the France Football Federation (FFF), with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix poised to step up, should Saliba be ruled out for at least one game at the World Cup. France take on Iraq in their second group fixture on Monday, 22 June before facing Norway in their third outing just four days later on Friday, 26 June.
View 2 ImagesWilliam Saliba has been vital to Arsenal’s success(Image: Getty Images)
Saliba will undoubtedly be eager to recover in time to play his part in France’s World Cup campaign, as he sets his sights on a second major honour of the season, having helped Arsenal clinch the Premier League title.
He was instrumental in Arteta’s side as they were crowned champions of England last month for the first time since 2004, edging out Manchester City to finish top of the table.
However, Saliba and Arsenal were denied Champions League glory after falling to defeat against PSG in the final. Eberechi Eze and Gabriel both missed penalties as the Gunners were beaten 4-3 in the shootout.
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Despite missing out on the Champions League, Arsenal still marked the achievement on Sunday with an open-top bus parade through the streets to celebrate their Premier League triumph.
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