Former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry looks set to have his summer request rejected by his former club.
Henry, currently managing the France U21’s squad, is poised to guide Les Bleus in the upcoming Olympic tournament. Tasked with assembling an 18-man squad plus four reserves, he faces limitations as only three players over 23 are permitted.
Saliba’s potential inclusion, given his U23 status, could strengthen France’s defence. However, the Gunners retains the power to veto his participation, citing FIFA’s lack of recognition for the tournament, as reported by the Daily Mirror.
The scheduling conflict between the Olympic Football Tournament and the Premier League opener poses a dilemma for Saliba and Arsenal. If France were to advance to the final, Saliba could potentially miss the start of the Premier League season, which Arteta understandably aims to avoid.
This further complicates the decision-making process for both Henry and Arsenal regarding Saliba’s participation in the Olympic tournament.
Arsenal to block Thierry Henry from selecting Saliba for the Olympics
French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo has stressed the significance of fielding the strongest possible team, urging Henry to leave no stone unturned in forming a competitive squad. However, Arsenal’s stance could hinder Saliba’s Olympic ambitions, reminiscent of his withdrawal from the 2021 Tokyo Games to concentrate on Arsenal’s pre-season training and impress Mikel Arteta.
Adding to the complexity is the European Championships in Germany, where Saliba is expected to play a role under the management of France national team coach Didier Deschamps.
This news comes in addition to Real Madrid have reportedly communicated to the French Football Association their decision to prohibit any of their players from taking part in the Olympic Games. Consequently, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Ferland Mendy will be absent from the squad representing Paris in the tournament.