William Saliba
25-Year-Old
Arsenal
Premier
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Saliba is the rock in the Arsenal back line, and led them to another title challenge that came up short in the 2024/25 campaign. He started 35 league matches, being dropped for two different hamstring injuries and then a red card. The center-back is one of the best in the world and is an irreplaceable part of the starting XI. He's a major producer in every defensive category and has helped Arsenal to finish among the top two in clean sheets in each season since he joined. As long as he can stay healthy, Mikel Arteta will be fine pushing Saliba to 38 starts, which is more than you can say about other Arsenal defenders.
Working with team
Saliba resumed regular training sessions Saturday alongside the rest of the French national team prior to the initial World Cup contest versus Senegal, per Fabrice Hawkins.
ANALYSIS
Saliba is no longer dealing with discomfort and is trending toward a starting role throughout the international competition. The center-back recorded 45 minutes in the last friendly game against Norther Ireland and was subbed off as a precaution, avoiding a new injury scare following his return from a back injury. His inclusion as Dayot Upamecano's partner in the middle of a back four would leave Ibrahima Konate and Maxence Lacroix as depth options. As for his fantasy potential, Saliba will aim to improve on his World Cup qualifying averages of 4.3 clearances and 4.7 balls recovered per match while holding decent clean sheet chances, even though he'll be facing strong opposition in at least two of the three group stage games against Senegal and Norway, respectively.
Saliba is no longer dealing with discomfort and is trending toward a starting role throughout the international competition. The center-back recorded 45 minutes in the last friendly game against Norther Ireland and was subbed off as a precaution, avoiding a new injury scare following his return from a back injury. His inclusion as Dayot Upamecano's partner in the middle of a back four would leave Ibrahima Konate and Maxence Lacroix as depth options. As for his fantasy potential, Saliba will aim to improve on his World Cup qualifying averages of 4.3 clearances and 4.7 balls recovered per match while holding decent clean sheet chances, even though he'll be facing strong opposition in at least two of the three group stage games against Senegal and Norway, respectively.
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More Fantasy News
Plays 45, taken off as precaution
Saliba (back) started and played 45 minutes in Monday's friendly against Northern Ireland before being taken off at halftime as a precaution.
ANALYSIS
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Trains fully, option for friendly
Saliba (back) is feeling better after being present at France's team training session and could feature in Monday's final pre-tournament friendly against Northern Ireland, according to Saber Desfarges of TF1.
ANALYSIS
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Should be fine for World Cup opener
Saliba (back) is not expected to face a long absence and may only be rested in the practice matches ahead of the World Cup, with France manager Didier Deschamps commenting "William is fine and will be managed. If he had needed to play tomorrow, he would have played", ESPN reports .
ANALYSIS
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Closely monitored
Saliba (back) is being closely monitored ahead of France's World Cup but has had some reassuring testing carried out, according to Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport.
ANALYSIS
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Hopeful to avoid serious issue
Saliba (ankle) got an optimistic diagnosis from initial medical tests Monday, but he's a major doubt for upcoming friendlies due to a back pain, Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Real Madrid scouting him
Real Madrid have sent scouts to analyze Saliba, according to TBR Football.
ANALYSIS
Saliba appears to be the top defensive target for Real Madrid for the summer of 2026, and the club has sent scouts to observe the defender repeatedly over the last few months. Arsenal are willing to do everything in their power to prevent Saliba from leaving, but Real Madrid will do everything they can to get a deal done.
Saliba appears to be the top defensive target for Real Madrid for the summer of 2026, and the club has sent scouts to observe the defender repeatedly over the last few months. Arsenal are willing to do everything in their power to prevent Saliba from leaving, but Real Madrid will do everything they can to get a deal done.