Saliba left out of France squad as Arsenal return nears
The defender is training again after a back injury and was an unused substitute in Arsenal's Champions League victory over Slavia Prague.
William Saliba will miss France's Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey after Zinedine Zidane omitted the Arsenal defender from the squad announced on November 6. The 25-year-old has resumed training but has yet to play competitively since suffering a back problem.
Saliba's last competitive appearance came in France's World Cup semifinal loss to Spain, when the injury forced him off. He was on the bench for Arsenal's 2-1 Champions League victory against Slavia Prague and could be included in the squad to face Hull City in the Premier League.
Before France announced the squad, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the club had kept in close contact with the national team over Saliba's fitness. Arteta said France had all the information and Arsenal would accept Zidane's decision, adding that the defender also needed playing time.
Zidane's central defensive selections include Leny Yoro of Manchester United and Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool. Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate and Pierre Kalulu were also selected for France's final international window of 2026.
