Episode Details

France’s World Cup semifinal against Spain took a devastating turn when star center back William Saliba was forced off early due to a recurring back injury — a problem that had lingered since the Champions League final and even sidelined him before the tournament. Despite admitting he wasn’t at full strength, Saliba pushed through, but his absence in such a high-stakes match is a major blow not just for France, but for Arsenal, where he’s a defensive linchpin and leader. Manager Arteta’s faith in him, even when injured, underscores his irreplaceable role. While Maxence Lacroix stepped in as a capable substitute, losing your top center back mid-game in a semifinal is a seismic disruption — and Arsenal’s depth can’t fully compensate for Saliba’s unique presence and calm under pressure.

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