Arsenal will have several players featuring at International tournaments this summer, and Mikel Arteta will be wary of any disruption to his side’s pre-season schedule.
With the European Championships and the Copa America being played this summer, Arsenal will inevitably have stars competing on the biggest stage.
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice will feature heavily for England, but Arteta may take some relief that Ben White will be fully rested, as he will not be part of the squad amid an ongoing feud with Gareth Southgate.
Fellow defender William Saliba has also had problems with his National Team manager, as Didier Deschamps has criticised him despite his outstanding performances for Arsenal, and he is not considered a first-choice option.
Nevertheless, he is in the France squad for the Euros, but regardless of how much he plays, that will be the only International tournament he features in.
Arsenal block William Saliba from featuring in Olympic Games
French outlet Le Parisien have now revealed that Arsenal have “blocked” any attempt from the France Olympics football side, who are managed by club legend Thierry Henry, to call Saliba up for the games this summer.
“Overall, the former Monaco coach is very unlikely to be able to count on players who will participate in the Euro, even if the case of Kylian Mbappé is not yet registered. William Saliba, in particular, entered the under-23 age group but, blocked by Arsenal, he would not do the Games,” the report stated.
With Paris hosting the Olympics, France want to put a strong squad out, which will predominantly be made up of younger players, but Saliba qualifies as a 23-year-old.
Nevertheless, Henry will be frustrated by his old club as they will not allow Saliba to join his squad for the tournament, which takes place after the Euros.
Why Arsenal do not want Saliba to join Thierry Henry’s Olympic side
If France reach the final of the Euros, Saliba will be with Deschamps’ squad until July 14th. With the Olympics kicking off on July 26th, he will have no time for a rest in between the tournaments.
If Saliba goes all the way with France, the Olympics run until August 11th, just before the Premier League restarts.
Saliba achieved a rare feat this season, in becoming the first Arsenal player to play every single minute of the Premier League campaign in history.
After another outstanding campaign, he will need a proper rest after the Euros, and Henry will unfortunately have to look elsewhere for a centre-back option.