William Saliba injury: Arsenal defender ruled out of France squad as fears rise

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·1 September 2025

William Saliba injury: Arsenal defender ruled out of France squad as fears rise

The centre-back was forced off during the 1-0 loss at Liverpool on Sunday

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Arsenal defender William Saliba has pulled out of the France squad for the upcoming international break after injuring his ankle during Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool.

Saliba twisted his left ankle in the warm-up of the game at Anfield - but the 24-year-old started the match in the hope he could shake it off.

The centre-back was only able to last five minutes, however, before he was forced to come off after challenging for a header with Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike.

Saliba was replaced by summer signing Cristhian Mosquera and he has now had to pull out of the France squad, too.

France have two World Cup qualifiers coming up. They will face Ukraine on Friday and then Iceland four days later.

Saliba has been replaced in the squad by Inter Milan defender Benjamin Pavard, who will join up with his team-mates on Monday.

A statement from the French Football Federation on Monday read: “The Arsenal defender, injured on Sunday against Liverpool, has been replaced by the Inter Milan defender.

“William Saliba, who started for Arsenal against Liverpool on Sunday, was forced off in the fifth minute.

“He will not be able to honour his call-up for the first training camp of the season. He has a sprained left ankle.

“After a discussion with Franck Le Gall, the French national team doctor, Didier Deschamps confirmed William Saliba’s unavailability.

“The national coach has decided to call up Benjamin Pavard as a reinforcement. The Inter Milan defender is expected to return to the National Football Centre in Clairefontaine this Monday.”