World Cup: I’m afraid for Arsenal star – Mikael Silvestre

Former Arsenal defender, Mikael Silvestre, has said he is ‘afraid’ that centre-back, William Saliba will not play at all for France at the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

France has already secured their spot in the World Cup Round of 16 ahead of their final game Group D tie against Tunisia on Wednesday evening.

Saliba, meanwhile, is yet to feature in any single minute in Qatar, with France manager Didier Deschamps using the likes of Raphael Varane and Dayot Upamecano ahead of Saliba.

“I would think that [Raphael] Varane would continue [against Tunisia] and I am afraid for Saliba that [Dayot] Upamecano will also continue,” Silvestre told Bettingexpert.

“The pair did well against Denmark and they need to work more together to get used to one another.

“Unless France starts playing with three at the back, which could be an option for the next round, but I doubt it.

“So, in the central defence, I don’t expect any change. That is not where you run the most, so I think they [Varane and Upamecano] can play two-three games in a row. So it would make sense for them to start against Tunisia.”