William Saliba: Deschamps Explains Difference Between Defender at Arsenal and France

• William Saliba is one of the first names on Arsenal's team sheet since last season
• The defender is still struggling to break into the France national team's starting 11
• Didier Deschamps has explained the difference between club and national team

William Saliba is arguably Arsenal's best player but is struggling to break into the France national team 11 despite Raphael Varane’s international retirement.

Saliba became a first-team regular at Arsenal last season after spending the previous season on loan at Olympique Marseille and was named in Ligue 1 team of the season.

He formed a central defence partnership with Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes, and many fans attributed their title collapse last season to his injury in the final months.

The former Saint Etienne star has picked up where he left off last season, delivering solid performances and is one of the league's best centre-backs after 12 games.

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Deschamps explains Saliba's psychology

The 22-year-old’s form at Arsenal has not translated into regular minutes with Les Bleus, and he competes with Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, Jean Clair-Todibo, Benjamin Pavard, Ibrahima Konate and others.

Head coach Didier Deschamps has detailed why things are different for the player when he plays for his club and the national team.

“He hasn’t had a lot of game time with us. He is performing well for his club. At international level, he hasn’t always found himself in the best conditions in matches where I’ve rotated a lot,” Deschamps told RMC Sport.

“He isn’t in the same psychological situation with his club, where he doesn’t ask himself if he’ll play at the weekend. 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.”

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Per an official statement, the club rewarded the France international’s form with a new contract, which ties him to the club till 2027 and protects one of their prized assets.

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Saliba's importance to Arsenal

Sports Brief previously analysed Saliba's importance to Arsenal after the France international defender's contract was extended by another four years till 2027.

He missed the final 11 games of last season after a back injury suffered in the Europa League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon, and the team's stats in areas he contributed dropped.