William Gallas has voiced his concerns regarding the recent form of Arsenal defender William Saliba, suggesting that the young French international may be in need of a break.
The 23-year-old has been a key figure in Arsenal’s defense since establishing himself in the first team two years ago. His performances have earned him a regular spot in the France national team, overcoming initial doubts from coach Didier Deschamps.
However, after a year of being a stalwart for both club and country, Saliba’s game has shown signs of wear. Recently, he made a glaring error during the Nations League match against Belgium, which drew ridicule from fans and pundits alike.
His troubles continued as he received the first red card of his career in the Premier League clash against Bournemouth, penalized for a professional foul on Evanilson.
While Saliba contributed to a clean sheet in Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, he will miss the upcoming crucial match against Liverpool due to suspension. Gallas sees this absence as potentially beneficial, suggesting it could provide Saliba the rest he needs.
Discussing Arsenal’s ongoing challenges, Gallas stated, “The problem with Arsenal is always the same. If they face big teams, every player seems to be 100%. But against smaller teams, some players don’t perform at their best. It’s hard for me to understand, but it’s true.”
He added, “Saliba’s red card against Bournemouth was unfortunate, but if Arsenal aims to win the Premier League title, they need to find a way to secure victories in these matches. That defeat, though it was their first of the season, is damaging.”
Gallas emphasized the importance of not losing ground on title rivals like Liverpool and Manchester City, warning, “It will be very hard to catch them.” He noted that Saliba has no complaints about the red card, labeling it a significant mistake and pointing out that he has been making errors lately, which is unusual for him.
“Players play so much these days; sometimes, they need to rotate and take breaks,” Gallas continued. “Saliba has been ever-present for the last two seasons. He’s young, but he looks like he needs some rest.”
He further stressed the necessity for Arsenal to win matches against lower-ranked teams, saying, “If you draw, it feels like a loss, especially knowing how strong Manchester City is. Arsenal must recognize that they can’t afford to drop points if they want to be champions.”
Gallas dismissed excuses related to the absences of key players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, stating that Arsenal has a robust squad capable of overcoming such setbacks. He drew comparisons to Manchester City, who maintain performance levels even when missing key players.
“I was upset about Arsenal because I don’t want them to let me down. Two years ago, I said they would win the league, so please don’t let me down, Arsenal!” Gallas concluded, expressing his unwavering support for the club.