William Saliba - France
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The French national team has suffered an early setback ahead of the international break, with Arsenal defender William Saliba ruled out due to an ankle injury sustained against Liverpool.
The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed on Monday that Saliba has withdrawn from the squad after twisting his left ankle during Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday. The 24-year-old was forced off just five minutes into the game following an awkward landing in an aerial challenge with Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that the defender twisted his ankle during the warm-up before the Liverpool game.
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“He twisted his ankle during the warm-up,” Arteta explained. “He came in and said he believed he could carry on and play, but you could see after the first two actions that he couldn’t cope, and we had to get him out. Thank God we had Mosquera, we put him in for the first time in the Premier League, his debut at Anfield. I think he was really, really good.”
𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐚 🔄
Le défenseur d’Arsenal (entorse de la cheville face à Liverpool) est remplacé par celui de l’Inter Milan.#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/KrxGRUwYtd
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) August 31, 2025
Following medical assessments by team doctor Dr. Franck Le Gall, head coach Didier Deschamps opted to call up Inter Milan’s Benjamin Pavard as Saliba’s replacement for France’s upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine in Poland on Friday and Iceland at the Parc des Princes next week.
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Pavard, who boasts 54 international caps, brings significant experience and versatility to the squad, capable of playing both centrally and at right-back. The 2018 World Cup winner, remembered for his stunning strike against Argentina in Russia, was a key part of Inter Milan’s Serie A title-winning campaign last season.
This latest injury represents a blow not only for France but also for Arsenal, who are already grappling with absences to Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz. Saliba’s enforced substitution replaced by young defender Cristhian Mosquera at Anfield, once again highlighted his crucial role in Arsenal’s defensive structure.
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