William Saliba
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber and William Saliba being injured has opened the national team door for Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida and Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix.
Ronald Koeman, Netherlands manager, had initially called up the Arsenal fullback for the friendlies against Norway and Ecuador. Timber has had to withdraw due to an injury, and the Sunderland defender will take his place.
Meanwhile, Saliba played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final. However, he won’t represent France this month and the Crystal Palace player will replace him in Didier Deschamps’ squad.
Les Bleus, like the Netherlands, will play two friendlies against Brazil and Colombia this month.
The 25-year-old defender’s performances for Crystal Palace and Saliba’s setback allows him to receive his first call-up from Deschamps.
Mikel Arteta had to leave the 24-year-old fullback out of his squad for Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.
Injury blow to Arsenal duo
Jurrien Timber
Later that day, KNVB, the Dutch FA, confirmed Jurrien Timber didn’t manage to recover fully for the international break. Therefore, Koeman has added Lutsharel Geertruida to his squad for the two friendliness.
Geertruida, 25, played the full 90 minutes in Sunderland’s 2-1 derby win over Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, the French FA, FFF, reveal Saliba has been struggling with a recurring ankle problem and will be resting for at least 10 days. Therefore, the Crystal Palace player will fill in for him.
Last December, Maxence Lacroix’s entourage talked about his ambition of representing his country and he can fulfil that this month.
L’Equipe now claim the Arsenal star’s absence is a blow for France. Saliba, 24, has been struggling with recurring ankle problems, particularly with his left ankle.
After the EFL Cup final defeat, the Frenchman spoke to the national team officials about his situation. The newspaper state his ‘pain was too severe’ and therefore, Deschamps decided to drop him.
Situation concerning for Arteta and Arsenal
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal are now leading the table and are nine points ahead of second placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
The Gunners are active in the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. In other words, the Emirates club have a busy schedule after the international break.
Arteta will be hoping both Saliba and Timber will be fit when Arsenal face Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final on April 4th, after the international break.
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