William Saliba could miss World Cup as Arsenal star suffers devastating injury | Football | Sport
Arsenal defender William Saliba is facing a race against time to be fit for the World Cup after aggravating an injury during Saturday’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Saliba, 25, played the full 120 minutes of the showpiece Budapest final as Mikel Arteta’s side were beaten by PSG on penalties, following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.
Gabriel Magalhaes blazed the decisive spot-kick over the bar as the Gunners fell short of claiming Europe’s premier club competition for the first time. However, according to Foot Mercato, Saliba had been carrying a minor injury into the match, which was further aggravated during the defeat to PSG at the Puskas Arena.
It is claimed that Saliba’s latest setback could even jeopardise his involvement at the forthcoming World Cup in North America, which is scheduled to get underway on Thursday, June 11.
Saliba has cemented his place in France’s first-choice centre-back partnership alongside Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano. Nevertheless, manager Didier Deschamps may be forced to reshape his central defensive pairing, at least for the opening stages of the World Cup, with France’s first fixture against Senegal on Tuesday, June 16.
Saliba could reportedly be sidelined for ‘several weeks’ and his condition is a ‘concern’ for the France Football Federation (FFF), with Liverpool‘s Ibrahima Konate and Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix poised to step in should Saliba miss at least one game at the World Cup.
France take on Iraq in their second tournament fixture on Monday, June 22, before facing Norway in their third group stage clash four days later on Friday, June 26.
Saliba will undoubtedly be eager to regain full fitness and play his part in France’s World Cup campaign, as he sets his sights on a second major honour this season, having already helped Arsenal clinch the Premier League title.
The defender was instrumental in Mikel Arteta‘s side being crowned champions of England last month for the first time since 2004, edging out Manchester City to finish top of the table.
However, Saliba and Arsenal were denied Champions League glory after losing to PSG in the final. Eberechi Eze and Gabriel both missed penalties as the Gunners were beaten 4-3 in the shootout.
