William Saliba has been a revelation in defence for Arsenal since returning to the Emirates Stadium ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. The French defender completed a £27million move to the Gunners back in 2019 but spent the last three seasons out on loan.
Mikel Arteta took the decision to hold onto Saliba this season and integrate him into the Arsenal defence, moving Ben White out to right-back. The Spaniard's tactical tweak has paid off with the 21-year-old having become one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
Saliba's form for the Gunners led to him being called up by France manager Didier Deschamps for Les Bleus 26-man World Cup squad in Qatar. The reigning world champions are hoping to retain the iconic trophy as they take on England in the quarter-finals tonight.
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Saliba is not considered a starter for France with the likes of Raphael Varane, Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano all being selected ahead of the Gunners star. However, former Arsenal and France star Emmanuel Petit has praised William Saliba ahead of England's clash against Les Bleus in the World Cup quarter-final tonight.
Speaking to wettbasis , Petit said: "He's made a huge leap forward this season, he's asserted himself at Arsenal and he's also a key part of the Gunners' successful season. He already seems very mature and very calm in his game."
Saliba's ability and composure on the ball at such a young age has seen him become one of the leading centre-backs in the English top-flight this season, having kept eight clean sheets in his 17 appearances across all competitions. Petit continued: "After first being on loan (St Etienne, Nice and Marseille) he wanted to show everyone, especially coach Mikel Arteta.
"He anticipates the opponent's attacks very well. He is technically clean and he is now bursting with self-confidence.
"He's now one of the best defenders in the Premier League, that's for sure. He is the future of Arsenal FC, but also of the French national team."
Saliba may not be in line to start for Les Bleus tonight meaning he will not face Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka, who is set to start for the Three Lions.
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