Former Arsenal man Mikael Silvestre is worried that William Saliba might not play a game for France at this World Cup.
The centre-back is one of the first names on the team sheet at Arsenal and has contributed to their table-topping performances this season.
However, the Gunner star remains an option in a talented France national team and struggles to play as regularly as he does in London.
In their first group game, he was ignored for Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, who has hardly played at club level this season.
The Liverpool man did well, but Raphael Varane has since returned to partner Dayot Upamecano.
It will likely be the partnership Les Bleus adopt until they exit or win the competition and Silvestre worries Saliba will not play.
He said via Football365:
“I would think that Varane would continue [against Tunisia] and I’m afraid for Saliba, that Upamecano will also continue.
“The pair did well against Denmark and they need to work more together to get used to one another.
“Unless France start playing with three at the back, which could be an option for the next round but I doubt it.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Saliba has been a superb player for us, but at the World Cup, you need a lot of experience to earn a starting spot, which is what he lacks.
At 21, he can still play in at least two more World Cups if he looks after himself well and keeps developing into a top player at the Emirates.
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Not a problem.He is still young and learning. The choice should motivate him to work even harder. Such competition can only make the squad stronger.
I think Saliba came off the bench and played for France in their uninspirig 1-0 match loss to Tunisia yesterday at the World Cup.
But in another sense of thinking as it’s concerned Arsenal, Saliba not starting regularly or even to play for France at the ongoing World Cup, could turnout to be a blessing in disguise for Arsenal. For, this will lead to remain fully fit as he will not have picked up any related World Cup match playing injury that will leave him on the sidelong when he returned to Arsenal..
Therefore, as William Saliba is a key component in the Arsenal defense-line especially in the Epl this season. For this reason, I think Arsenal will ill afford seeing him not in the Gunners defense-line lineup for their next Epl home match against West Ham on Boxing Day. As Arsenal resume their Epl title win push this season after the Epl break for the World Cup has ended.
So, I am that keen to seen any Arsenal’s players staring games or even play in them for their countries at the Qarta World Cup.
I however know that the Arsenal players at the World Cup will all want to start/play WC matches for their Countries that they are representing at the WC.
But in as much as the Gunners at the WC look to want to play for their Countries at the WC. But Arsenal winning the Epl title this season shouldn’t be sacrificed on the alter to start or play WC matches for their Countries by any Gunners.
I think Saliba came off the bench and played for France in their uninspirig 1-0 match loss to Tunisia yesterday at the World Cup.
But in another sense of thinking as it’s concerned Arsenal, Saliba not starting regularly or even to play for France at the ongoing World Cup, could turnout to be a blessing in disguise for Arsenal. For, this will lead to him to remain fully fit as he will not have picked up any related World Cup match playing injury that will leave him on the sideline when he returned to Arsenal..
Therefore, as William Saliba is a key component in the Arsenal defense-line especially in the Epl this season. For this reason, I think Arsenal will ill afford seeing him not in the Gunners defense-line lineup for their next Epl home match against West Ham on Boxing Day and later on when they resume their Epl title win charge push this season after the Epl break for the World Cup has ended.
So, I am not that keen in seeing any Arsenal’s players staring games or even play in them for their Countries at the Qarta World Cup.
I however know that the Arsenal players at the World Cup will all want to start/play WC matches for their Countries that they are representing at the tournament.
But in as much as the Gunners who are at the WC look to want to play for their Countries in the tournament. But Arsenal winning the Epl title this season shouldn’t be sacrificed on the alter of wanting to start or play ar the WC matches for their Countries by any Gunners who are in their Countries ‘ squads.
Hardly a thing to concern us that he won’t be getting many games at this world cup. Their manager obviously prefers someone older and more experienced. From his personal point of view he is young and good enough to play in the next 2-3 world cups if he continues playing as he is now.