Arsenal defender William Saliba has been called up to the France squad for their upcoming friendlies with the Ivory Coast and South Africa after Benjamin Pavard tested positive for COVID-19.
Saliba could therefore make his debut for France before playing a minute for the Gunners, with the centre-back having spent the past three campaigns on loan in Ligue 1. The 20-year-old was signed from Saint-Etienne in the summer of 2019 for £27 million but returned to the Ligue 1 side immediately for the following season.
A spell with Nice then followed in 2020-21 before he made his way to Marseille for the current season. It has been a breakthrough season for Saliba, already making 40 appearances in Jorge Sampaoli's side and missing just one match in Ligue 1.
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Mikel Arteta insists that Saliba has a future at the Emirates but past reports have suggested that a permanent move to the Stade Velodrome could be on the cards.
When asked about his future in December 2021, Saliba kept his cards close to his chest but admitted that he was very happy in Marseille, telling RTL via talkSPORT: "I prefer not to speak about my future, but I’m very good here. I don’t regret my decision. I have been very happy since day one. I have one year here and I am going to give my all.”
Having found his way into the French national side, there is every chance Saliba will not want to risk that spot by returning to the Emirates where first-team football is not guaranteed. Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes have formed a formidable partnership at the heart of the Gunners defence as they close in on a place in next season's Champions League.
A number of grumblings could be heard when £50 million was spent on bringing in White during the summer when many felt that Saliba should have been given a shot in the first-team instead. White has since quietened most of those complaints, however.
