With the score in France’s favour in their Nations League clash with Denmark, Raphael Varane was forced off and Arsenal defender William Saliba came on for the experienced Manchester United man. By the time the game was over, Les Bleus had lost 2-1.
Arsenal fans had questions regarding Saliba’s involvement in the Danish turnaround. Those watching would have noticed him absolved of any blame on the equaliser, however, he was very much part of the 88th-minute winner.
Trabzonspor striker Andreas Cornelius was played in behind with a lofted ball. The physical Dane had beaten the offside trap and had a free run on Hugo Lloris’ goal. The speed from Saliba to catch the striker was very impressive. He got on the goal side of his man and attempted to usher him away from goal.
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Despite closing the angle significantly, Cornelius was able to get away a left-footed strike which went high and through the arms of Lloris and into the roof of the net. The reaction to the moment was frankly short-sighted and poor analysis.
Saliba was described as being bullied for the moment. This was despite the fact the 20-year-old defender had done everything right throughout the play. His pace was of great benefit to help catch the striker, he managed to keep the goal side of the player and didn’t make a rash challenge with Cornelius already in the penalty area. It was simply a great strike from the Dane and if anyone is at fault then fingers should point towards Lloris between the sticks.
Personally, I have been very critical of Saliba at times, fairly in my view. This season, Ben White has often been scapegoated for poor performances due to his presence effectively costing Saliba game time under Arteta this season. The young defender has gained quite the cult following despite never having played a competitive game for the team.
Despite the fact that the then 19-year-old was deemed, rightly in my view, not ready for the Arsenal team does not impact a view of this incident. The loan to Marseille has helped Saliba to develop and it has been rewarded with a call-up to the national side that got him to feature in this very game.
White and Gabriel Magalhaes have formed a solid partnership but defensively the former Brighton man has outperformed Saliba whilst facing much more challenging opponents. The evidence supports this, although it should be said from a passing perspective Saliba has been exceptional.
Hopefully, this demonstrates the removal of any kind of bias when assessing this incident against Denmark. Saliba showed the right decision-making in the ushering of Cornelius but fell foul to a great strike and ultimately poor goalkeeping. Perhaps he could have slid in to try and take the ball from the Dane, but at this moment, it would have been a very big risk.
In hindsight, the risk would have been worth it considering what followed. However, there would have been little chance of assuming the shot which would follow failing to take the chance.
Saliba is reportedly due to speak on his future tomorrow. Mikel Arteta has expressed his desire for the defender to return but it still remains unclear what will happen, hopefully, this uncertainty ends this weekend.
