Saliba Pulls Out of France Duty Due to Ongoing Ankle Pain

Arsenal defender William Saliba has pulled out of the France squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Colombia.

Saliba played the full match as Arsenal lost 2-0 to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on Sunday, but he will not join the French team for their upcoming matches.

The French Football Federation announced that Saliba is experiencing “recurring pain in his left ankle” and will need “a minimum rest period of 10 days.”

Arsenal will play against Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals after the international break on April 4th.

Maxence Lacroix, a centre-back from Crystal Palace, has been called up as his replacement. This will be Lacroix’s first time in the national team, though he has played frequently for France at the youth level.

Saliba joins fellow Arsenal player Eberechi Eze, who also withdrew from the England squad. Eze missed Sunday’s cup final and has now stepped back from international play. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Ben White has received a late call-up, marking his return to the England team since 2022.

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