Saliba inspired by history
WILLIAM SALIBA wants to follow in the footsteps of Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira – by winning the World Cup and becoming an Arsenal legend.
Gunners defender Saliba, 21, was called up by France for their 25-man squad for Qatar, where the defending champions are one of the pre-tournament favourites to lift the trophy.
Arsenal heroes Henry, Vieira, Emmanuel Petit and Robert Pires enjoyed glory with the great France team which won the 1998 trophy as well as the Euros in 2000.
Now Saliba wants to follow their example by helping France retain the trophy they won four years ago and extend Arsenal’s French connection.
Saliba said: “I want to be the next Frenchman to do that, like Pires or Vieira or Henry. If I am going to the World Cup, it shows I have had a good start to the season with Arsenal.
“I wanted to be in it, but in France we have a lot of good defenders. That is why I am so happy.”
Saliba discovered his call-up an hour before the squad was announced but had to keep the news secret – and then could not celebrate as Arsenal lost 3-1 to Brighton in the Carabao Cup.