Arsenal's Rock-Solid Defence Goes AWOL: Saliba and Gabriel Skip Internationals – Crisis or Cunning Plan?
Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel have withdrawn from international friendlies due to ankle and knee issues, joining four other teammates in skipping duty amid World Cup warm-ups. While sparking injury crisis fears, it's likely managed rest ahead of crucial fixtures like the FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton and Champions League ties with Sporting CP. France replaces Saliba with Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacriox as both nations prepare for games in the US.
Arsenal's Rock-Solid Defence Goes AWOL: Saliba and Gabriel Skip Internationals – Crisis or Cunning Plan?
Picture this: you're nursing a pint, dreaming of Arsenal lifting silverware, when bam – your defensive duo pulls out of World Cup warm-ups. William Saliba's hobbling off with a dodgy ankle, and Gabriel's knee is throwing a tantrum. But hold off on the panic pies, Gooners – this smells more like shrewd squad rotation than a full-blown injury apocalypse.
Original reporting from the Evening Standard via OneFootball highlights how Saliba bowed out of France's friendlies against Brazil and Colombia in the US. The lad went the full 90 minutes in Sunday's Carabao Cup final heartbreak against Man City at Wembley, but that recurring left ankle gremlin – the same one that sidelined him for games against Mansfield and Brighton – has forced a 10-day rest prescription.
Saliba Sidelined, Lacriox Steps Up
France aren't mucking about. They've drafted in Crystal Palace stopper Maxence Lacriox for a debut cap, and the squad's jetting off to Clairefontaine before Stateside showdowns: Brazil in Foxborough on Thursday, then Colombia in Landover come Sunday. Les Bleus fancy themselves as World Cup favourites, eyeing a repeat of 2018 glory.
For Arsenal, it's a calculated breather. Saliba's backline partner-in-crime is irreplaceable in their Quadruple chase (well, three trophies left now). That initial rest wraps up early April, bang on time for the FA Cup quarter-final away at Southampton on April 4. Facing Championship high-flyers (they've just nipped past Wrexham in the playoffs) without the full squad? Arsenal's beaten lower-league fodder before – Saliba's only logged 61 minutes in the Cup this term anyway.
Gabriel's Knee Nark and the Withdrawal Wave
It's not just Saliba ducking duty. Gabriel followed suit, citing right knee pain post-Wembley woes. Brazil confirmed he's unfit for their clashes with France and Croatia. He's the fifth Gunner to bail: add Jurriën Timber (ankle knock, missed the final), Leandro Trossard, and Eberechi Eze to the list.
Cue the Twitter meltdowns about an Arsenal injury crisis. But let's pump the brakes, mate. These are friendlies – dead rubbers before the World Cup proper. Players graft through niggles all season; think Kylian Mbappé at Real Madrid, ignoring rest warnings and now nursing repeated knee troubles. France and Brazil's medics have rubber-stamped the issues, with Saliba's just needing a 10-day TLC plan and Gabriel's 'pain' likely similar.
International breaks like this are withdrawal central. Clubs prioritise recovery over pointless ping-pong matches. Even the nations benefit – no point risking stars in tune-ups.
Fixtures from Hell: Will the Defence Hold?
Arsenal's schedulers are sadists. Post-break:
-
April 4: Southampton (A) – FA Cup QF
-
April 7: Sporting CP (A) – Champions League QF leg 1
-
April 11: Bournemouth (H) – Premier League
-
April 15: Sporting CP (H) – Champions League QF leg 2
-
April 19: Man City (A) – Premier League
The Southampton jaunt might be a gentle reintroduction. But Lisbon against Sporting? That's where Europe dreams live or die. Then back-to-back Prem hammers. Arsenal need Saliba and Gabriel firing – they're the spine of this title tilt.
Verdict? No crisis, just common sense. Mikel Arteta's lot will monitor like hawks, and expect the duo primed for action. Fancy a pint to toast their swift return? Cheers to that – Arsenal's still in the hunt for glory.