Arsenal v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Final
Saliba played the full 90 minutes at Wembley (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have been handed another injury concern in the aftermath of their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City with William Saliba withdrawing from the France squad.
Saliba played the full 90 minutes as the Gunners fell to a 2-0 defeat at Wembley with Nico O’Rielly scoring twice to seal victory for Pep Guardiola’s side.
The centre-half was one of his side’s better players on the day, going toe-to-toe with Erling Haaland all afternoon and coming out on top in plenty of his duels with the City striker.
But two hours after the final whistle at Wembley, it was confirmed Saliba had withdrawn from the France squad for upcoming friendly matches against Brazil and Colombia in the United States with Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix called into replace him.
The France Football Federation said in a brief statement Saliba has an injury to his left ankle.
‘William Saliba is unable to join the French national team’s training camp, which begins this Monday, March 23.
‘The Arsenal centre-back is suffering from recurring pain in his left ankle, requiring treatment and a minimum rest period of ten days.’
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Arteta will hope Saliba’s issue is not serious (Picture: Getty)
Saliba recently missed two matches against Brighton and Mansfield Town with an ankle issue.
He became the third player to withdraw from international duty on Sunday evening with Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze also pulling out for Netherlands and England respectively.
Both players were left out of the squad on Sunday with Timber picking up a knock against Everton last week, also missing the midweek victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal 0-2 Man City - Metro at the Match
Manchester City have secured the first silverware of the season after Arsenal failed to deliver at Wembley.
The quadruple dream is over and the Gunners must now pick up the pieces after a sobering setback.
For City, it has breathed life into their campaign after a dismal Champions League exit this week.
Kepa gamble backfires spectacularly
Mikel Arteta decided to keep faith in Kepa Arrizabalaga after starting the Spaniard in each round of the competition leading up to the final at Wembley today.
Pep Guardiola did likewise with James Trafford, but it was Arsenal who paid the price for dropping one of their best players. From the moment the second-half kicked off, Kepa dallied on the ball, inviting the pressure that would inevitably swarm all over the Gunners and trigger their downfall.
Raya has been spectacular this season, the best goalkeeper in the Premier League by some margin and in sublime form. Had he started, Sunday may have been a very different story.
Arsenal v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Final
Arsenal still have plenty left to fight for (Picture: Getty)
Old Arsenal fears reignited
We have seen Arsenal collapse in the past. Past failures have so often been used as a stick to beat them with but things have felt different this season.
Victory today would have gone some way in erasing the lingering fears over another derailment . But defeat at Wembley could serve as a catalyst for something much bleaker.
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Arteta got his biggest decision on the day wrong (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal are still fighting on three fronts, in control of the Premier League title race and well-placed to continue marching on in Europe. But the effects of today could be season-altering. The woeful second-half showing was as bad as anything served up by them this term on the stage where they needed to be their best.
O'Reilly steps up
City needed a hero at Wembley and they found a home-grown one. With Phil Foden only coming on as an injury time substitute, left-back O'Reilly stepped up as City's savour with two headers to save their season.
City were fantastic in the second period to a man and fed off Arsenal's apprehension but it was the 21-year-old set the standard when they needed inspiration.
Tony Mogan, live sports editor
Eze scored a sensational goal against the Bundesliga side but also picked up an ankle problem that meant he had no part to play on Sunday.
‘We have to do another scan in six or seven days and wait and see the results,’ Arteta said of Eze’s injury in his post-match press conference. ‘Is it a leg injury. His calf.’
Martin Odegaard was Arsenal’s other injury absentee against City having missed the last five games with a knee issue. He was not named in the Norway squad for upcoming friendlies.
Arsenal are back in action against Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on 4 April.
MORE: Mikel Arteta sends message to ‘phenomenal’ Kepa after Carabao Cup final disaster
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