Didier Deschamps surprised Arsenal fans on Tuesday evening when he left William Saliba out of the starting XI. It was expected that the centre-back would start for Les Bleus.
Saliba has been sensational for Arsenal so far in the Premier League campaign. His defensive excellence was met by his attacking capabilities as he scored his first goals for the Gunners with a wonder strike against Bournemouth and a precise header against Brentford.
There had been doubts surrounding Saliba’s contract situation at Arsenal with the defender’s current deal expiring at the end of the season, with an option to extend by a further year. Negotiations would have seemingly been harder due to his inclusion in the France, but Deschamps deciding not to start him makes it easier for the Gunners.
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The Frenchman has bought a sense of calmness and assertiveness to Mikel Arteta’s defence which was evidently lacking last season. More interestingly, he has also added speed to the backline, which is also crucial to playing a high line.
The 21-year-old was pivotal in helping Arsenal to maintain their first clean sheet of the season at a tricky ground in Selhurst Park, which got the ball rolling in Arsenal’s best ever start to a Premier League season. The Gunners had lost 3-0 at the same ground in the previous campaign. His performance was so good that Jamie Carragher awarded the Frenchman with the man of the match award.
"I thought he was very good. He didn't have too much to do in terms of the first half, but there was one moment where Arsenal were pushing out a lot. Anderson kept putting balls over the top, but there was one ball that went in behind Ben White but the way he dealt with it," Carragher said on Sky Sports when speaking about Saliba.
"Before you see him play, he looks the part, for such a young age, helping Ben White, Arsenal fans have been excited to see him. You can argue was it right to put him out, but he is 21 playing centre-back in the Premier League - do you do that when you're 19-20? It's not easy. He looked the real deal.”
90min have reported that Arsenal are pushing hard to tie Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba down to new long-term contracts. The report goes on to claim that Edu believes all three deals are on the right track, with the Gunners hopeful that all three will have put pen to paper by January.
Saliba not starting France on the biggest of footballing stages prevents other clubs from potentially getting an extra scout report, which could eventually lead to serious transfer interest. The World Cup has been a tournament that has notoriously led to many transfers in the past.
With the Frenchman not playing it means that Arsenal could have less competitors in securing Saliba’s contract, which makes negotiations in agreeing to a deal less complicated.
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