Image Credit: Getty Images
Arsenal face a crucial decision regarding William Saliba and his potential participation in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, as his involvement could impact his availability for the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
Thierry Henry is the manager of France’s U21 team and is set to lead Les Bleus at the upcoming tournament. Tasked with selecting a squad of 18 players with four reserves, with only three allowed to be over the age of 23.
While World Cup champions Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, and Olivier Giroud are strong contenders for the squad, Saliba, as an U23 player, could secure a spot.
French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo has encouraged Henry to assemble the strongest team possible, emphasising their ambition to excel in the tournament. However, Arsenal hold the authority to decline William Saliba’s release, given that the Olympic Games are not FIFA-recognised. Nevertheless, the allure of winning gold on home soil may sway selected players.
William Saliba was previously selected for the 2021 Games in Tokyo but withdrew from the squad to avoid missing Arsenal’s pre-season activities.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Mbappe has expressed his desire to represent France at the Olympics, highlighting his long-standing dream of participating in the event.
The situation is complicated further by the European Championships in Germany, where William Saliba is expected to be chosen by France boss Didier Deschamps. The tournament, running from June 14 to July 14, will require participating players to have additional rest before commencing pre-season with their clubs.
The Olympic Football Tournament, scheduled from July 24 to August 9, culminates just a week before the potential start of the 2024/25 Premier League season on August 16. Should Saliba feature and France progress to the final stages, his chances of starting the Premier League campaign with Arsenal could be significantly affected.