ARSENAL have been hit with a potential injury blow after William Saliba pulled out of the France squad today.
The defender picked up an injury in the side’s 1-0 win over Manchester City.
PAThe defender picked up the injury in Arsenal’s victory over Manchester City[/caption]
The French national team announced in a tweet that the defender had been forced to withdraw from the squad after suffering an injury to his right toe.
He will be replaced by Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo.
Given the game against City has only just finished, France or Arsenal have not put a date on the Frenchman’s return yet.
The defender will be assessed at Arsenal’s London Colney training centre in due course.
The defender was excellent again for The Gunners as they beat rivals Manchester City 1-0 in a huge step in the title race and was instrumental in keeping Erling Haaland quiet.
He won 100% of his duels in the game, had a 97% pass accuracy and has now gone eight Premier League games without being dribbled past.
Saliba played the full 90 for Arsenal and did not immediately appear in discomfort at the end of the game.
That’s led to some Arsenal fans online to speculate over the true severity of the injury.
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One fan tweeted: “We’ve pulled him out, let’s goooo.”
Another added: “Saliba not going to an international break” alongside a gif of Arsene Wenger celebrating.
And a third wrote: “My manager finally learning the dark arts.” alongside a picture of Mikel Arteta.
The clear implication being that Saliba is having his minutes managed ahead of what could be a title charge this season for Arsenal.