Arsenal defender William Saliba has been called up to the France squad for their upcoming friendlies with the Ivory Coast and South Africa after Benjamin Pavard tested positive for COVID-19.
Saliba could therefore make his debut for France before playing a minute for the Gunners, with the centre-back having spent the past three campaigns on loan in Ligue 1. The 20-year-old was signed from Saint-Etienne in the summer of 2019 for £27 million but returned to the Ligue 1 side immediately for the following season.
A spell with Nice then followed in 2020-21 before he made his way to Marseille for the current season. It has been a breakthrough season for Saliba, already making 40 appearances in Jorge Sampaoli's side and missing just one match in Ligue 1.
