Arsenal currently tops the Premier League ahead of Liverpool, only due to the better goal difference. The Gunners have the best attack in the league (70 goals so far) but also the best defense (24 goals allowed) and one of the reason‘s for that is William Saliba. The French defender finally became a starter in Mikel Arteta‘s team, after three loans (Saint Etienne, Nice and Marseille) and he didn‘t look back since. Saliba is the undisputed leader who started all 28 games in the Premier League and all in the Champions League. But, when it comes to France international team, he is just a substitute. What‘s even worse, the players who are in worse from than him are starting in every match. For example, Dayot Upamecano. Former Leipzig defender is a Bayern Munich player for three seasons now, and his regression is visible. But just as Saliba is the undisputed starter for Arsenal, so is Upamecano in France, as he plays all 90 minutes even in friendly matches, like in the 0-2 defeat from Germany.Only Arsenal fans are allowed to like this William Saliba post 🔴⚪️📹 @kimmoFC pic.twitter.com/9bY2DFDoTW— Prolific_supo😎 (@Neyonation1_) March 25, 2024 In fact, he has been awful in Bundesliga recently, especially considering his experience both in Germany‘s football and on international stage. He is guilty of numerous penalties against Bayern, he got a red card in a 3-0 win over Lazio in the Champions League and everybody remembers that he was the guilty party in both games against eventual winners Manchester City. But, France coach Didier Deschamps is keeping him in team, even thou he is not the starter in Bayern anymore. And what‘s more awkward, he criticized Saliba.“He is having a good season, but he also does things that I don’t like so much. For France, he has limited game time, but when he plays, that hasn’t necessarily gone well. The hierarchy doesn’t favour him at the moment, but he is here. Dayot Upamecano has had game time and perhaps William has had less“ he said.UCL: Upamecano is the new Maguire, Bayern’s defender helps City secure a place in the semi-finalThen the coach tried to explain his philosophy but also to encourage Saliba, who is finally set to start for France tonight against Chile.“With certain players, I make sure to persevere, because it can be confidence or little blockages that can shift. Some don’t have any concerns, some need game time. William has had less game time, so that doesn’t allow him to be very calm. At international level, he hasn’t always found himself in the best conditions in matches where I’ve rotated a lot. He isn’t in the same psychological situation with his club, where he doesn’t ask himself if he’ll play. When he has game time with us, he tells himself he needs to play well because there are others behind him. He is not in a psychological situation that is the same as at his club. He has everything he needs to take the next step“ said Deschamps.##NAJAVA_MECA_7984425##
