"I'm not at 100 per cent" - Arsenal star admits he is playing FIFA World Cup matches despite injury issues
- France centre-half William Saliba revealed on Saturday he is playing through a back problem at the FIFA World Cup, admitting he is not operating at "100 per cent" while helping Les Bleus compete in North America.
- Managing the injury for months while playing for Arsenal in the Premier League, Saliba now follows a personalized training programme with the national squad to handle the pain.
- Ahead of Monday's match against Iraq, Saliba criticized the "artificial and hard" pitch at New York/New Jersey Stadium, hoping for improved conditions in Philadelphia to ensure knockout stage progression.
- "They have a good team and it will not be easy," Saliba told reporters Saturday about Iraq, which qualified via intercontinental playoff and lost 4-1 to Norway in their opener.
- Fellow defender Lucas Digne anticipates an intense, physical match against Iraq's 4-4-2 system, as France seeks to build on their 3-1 victory over Senegal before facing Norway later this week.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Arsenal star 'gritting teeth' as he plays through injury at World Cup
William Saliba is a key player for France at this summer’s World Cup (Picture: Getty Images) France and Arsenal defender William Saliba is ‘gritting his teeth’ and fighting through the pain of injury during this summer’s World Cup. The 25-year-old has been a warhorse for the Gunners over the last three seasons, reaching a half-century of appearances for three campaigns on the spin. The centre-back was nursing injuries in the second half of the s…
Everything you need to know about the news of the French team in the United States, between donuts and coca (yes, as soon as you wake up)
France are preparing for intense battle against cornered Iraq-Saliba
WALTHAM, Massachusetts, June 20 - France may be the overwhelming favourites ahead of their second World Cup Group I game against Iraq on Monday but they will be bracing themselves for a big battle, France defender William Saliba said. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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