William Saliba criticised for errors as Arsenal star 'has worst match' for France

William Saliba gave away a penalty and made an error that saw his team-mate sent-off as he struggled for France, despite them eventually seeing off Belgium in the Nations League

William Saliba copped major criticism after a rare off night at the heart of defence whilst playing for France.

The Arsenal centre-half lined up in defence alongside Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate for Les Blues, but he couldn't continue his impressive early season form as he struggled despite his nation seeing off Belgium. Saliba's errors also left France needing to find a winner in their Nations League outing.

The 23-year-old conceded a penalty for a foul on Lois Openda - only for Youri Tielemans to miss the spot-kick. Openda was then able to get in behind Saliba once again as he scored for Belgium to draw them level on the night.

Saliba's forgettable evening was then compounded with 13 minutes left when he gave the ball away cheaply, leaving Real Madrid 's Aurelien Tchouameni with no option but to foul Tielemans who was in on goal - picking up a second yellow card in the process.

Fortunately for the Arsenal man he was on the winning side after two Randal Kolo Muani goals sealed a 2-1 victory for Didier Deschamps' side. The press in his homeland though have taken aim at the defender for his below par showing.

So Foot gave Saliba a 2/10 rating, the lowest mark of any player on the pitch, as they wrote: “Penalty, (yellow) card, loss of ball… Fortunately, Openda ended up not taking advantage of his elastic marking before half-time because he would have felt obliged to score this goal himself.”

He received the same rating from Didocu Sport who were scathing with their criticism as they labelled it his worst outing for his country. They said: “There is a lot to say about his match and not much good. He undoubtedly had his worst match in Blue.

“He concedes the penalty for a foul on Lois Openda and receives a yellow card where he clearly does well. He leaves behind the same Lois Openda on the Belgian equaliser. And where is he when Aurelien Tchouameni has to sacrifice himself and take a red card… in the position of the last defender?!”

Saliba had to be patient but has become a regular for his country. He received huge plaudits during the Euros in the summer as Les Blues kept five clean sheets on the bounce en route to the semi-finals, before they were undone by eventual winners Spain.

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