Mikel Arteta will no doubt have been buoyed by seeing William Saliba make his international bow for France ahead of his return to Arsenal this summer.
The defender turned 21 on Thursday and celebrated with a debut for his country just 24 hours later in their 2-1 friendly win over Ivory Coast. His involvement perhaps came as a surprise even to him, given he had been omitted from Didier Deschamps' squad initially before earning a late call-up due to injuries in the France camp.
But his reward was no less than the youngster deserved after impressing during a loan spell with Marseille this season. His performances have led to a persistent clamour for him to be brought back into the Arsenal fold, and Arteta will be pleased to hear Saliba's response after getting his first crack at international level.
