William Saliba of Arsenal reacts with an injury during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on August 31, 2025 in Liverpool, England.placeholder image
William Saliba of Arsenal reacts with an injury during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on August 31, 2025 in Liverpool, England. | Getty Images
Key Arsenal defender William Saliba left the pitch early against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon
The French Football Association have issued an official injury update on Arsenal defender William Saliba after the Frenchman was withdrawn early on against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners lost 1-0 to their title rivals over the weekend, with Saliba going down injured just a few minutes into the fixture. The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the best central defenders in world football over the last 24 months and has formed a resolute partnership with Gabriel Magalhães.
However, he has suffered an ankle injury as Mikel Arteta confirmed on Sunday that Saliba had picked up an injury in the warm up of Sunday’s game.
What Mikel Arteta said about William Saliba injury
Cristhian Mosquera replaced Saliba and helped limit Liverpool’s chances with Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick from distance proving to be the difference between the sides.
Speaking on Sunday evening, Arteta said: “He twisted his ankle during the warm-up, and he came in and he said he believed that he could carry on and play, but straight away in the first two actions. I could see that he couldn't cope, and we had to get him out unfortunately.
“But thank God we had Mosquera, which we put in for the first time in the Premier League. His debut, not expecting it at Anfield, and I think he was really, really good.”
If Saliba is injured for a sustained period, Arsenal are better equipped to deal with it as they close in on a deal for Piero Hincapié, with the player’s move from Bayer Leverkusen expected to be completed well ahead of the 7pm transfer deadline.
French FA give William Saliba injury update
The French FA published a late night update on Saliba, as they confirmed the Arsenal player had suffered an ankle sprain and could not play a part in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
A statement read: “William Saliba, who started for Arsenal against Liverpool on Sunday, was forced off in the fifth minute. He will not be able to honor his call-up for the first training camp of the season. He is suffering from a sprained left ankle.
“After a discussion with Franck Le Gall, the French team doctor, Didier Deschamps confirmed the unavailability of William Saliba .
“The national coach has decided to call up Benjamin Pavard as a reinforcement. The Inter Milan defender is expected this Monday at the National Football Center in Clairefontaine.”
France play Ukraine on Friday evening before a clash at home to Iceland the following Tuesday. Saliba has been capped 28 times by France but will not be adding to that tally this month.
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