Fresh off the high of beating treble winners Manchester City, Arsenal have been seemingly dealt a blow as William Saliba pulled out of the France squad for international duty.

Fresh off the high of beating treble winners Manchester City, Arsenal have been seemingly dealt a blow as William Saliba pulled out of the France squad for international duty. The France national team confirmed the defender's absence, stating he was nursing a toe injury and that he will be replaced by Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo. "William Saliba is not able to participate in the gathering of the French team. The Arsenal defender suffers from pain in his right big toe. He will remain available to his club to treat this chronic injury," read the statement. "After speaking with Dr Franck Le Gall, the French team doctor, Didier Deschamps noted William Saliba’s withdrawal and decided to replace him with Jean-Clair Todibo. "The latter is expected at Clairefontaine on Monday at noon, like all the selected players." Saliba was instrumental in his side's 1-0 win against City on Sunday (October 8) in front of a boisterous Emirates crowd. The tall centre-back managed to keep City's goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland quiet and to the extent that the Norweigian did not have a shot on target throughout the game. The victory propelled Arsenal to the top of the points table alongside London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The club will now return to action after the international break and face a resurgent Chelsea. With over a week to go for the encounter, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would hope that his premier defender gets back to full fitness. Saliba - Arsenal's mainstay Ever since the last season, Saliba has been pivotal to Arsenal's chances in the league. In the 27 league games that Saliba started during the title charge, he helped Arsenal keep a clean sheet in 11 of them. However, post his injury, the London-based team could only keep two clean sheets in nine games as Manchester City came from behind to secure a third consecutive title. Last week, Saliba reflected on the injury that forced him to sit out the business end of the last season, which eventually cost his team the title. “Of course, it was really painful because I watched my team play every game, the most important of the season, and I was not able to play. Of course, it hurt me. Of course, I could have helped my team to maybe win the Premier League but we never know," said Saliba. Also read | 'It was really painful...': William Saliba on Arsenal slipping up in title race last season "It was a good experience because we were first for all the season and at the end we finished second. Every game is so important, we try to win every game to win the league. Injuries are part of football and hopefully I won’t be injured.” While Saliba has become a mainstay in the Arsenal squad, he is yet to become a first pick for Deschamps. The likes of Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate are seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Injury to THIS star Arsenal player could derail Arteta's title charge once again

Arsenal defender William Saliba has revealed it was "really painful"&nbsp;to watch his team lose out on the Premier League title after he suffered an injury that forced him to sit out the business end of the league last season.&nbsp;

Saliba, regarded as the next big defender of his generation, often drawing comparisons to Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk for similar playing styles, was the mainstay for his side throughout the title run. However, his absence had a catastrophic effect on the team's performance as Arsenal slipped&nbsp;from the number one spot.&nbsp;

“Of course, it was really painful because I watched my team play every game, the most important of the season, and I was not able to play. Of course, it hurt me. Of course, I could have helped my team to maybe win the Premier League but we never know," said Saliba.&nbsp;

"It was a good experience because we were first for all the season and at the end we finished second. Every game is so important, we try to win every game to win the league. Injuries are part of football and hopefully I won’t be injured.”

<h2>Arsenal's defensive record without Saliba</h2>

In the 27 league games that Saliba started, he helped Arsenal keep a clean sheet in 11 of them. Post his injury the London-based team could only keep two clean sheets in nine games as Manchester City came from behind to secure a third consecutive title.&nbsp;

Saliba's statement comes days ahead of his side's all-important tie against City. The Gunners currently have the wood on City, having beaten them once already this season, winning the Community Shield via penalties, after scoring at the death to equalise the game.

The match on the weekend, scheduled to take place at the Emirates Stadium will be an opportunity for Arsenal to pip their rivals and go top of the table.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/why-inter-fans-are-distributing-50000-whistles-ahead-of-lukakus-visit-to-san-siro-642904">Also read |&nbsp;Why are Inter fans distributing 50,000 whistles ahead of Lukaku's visit to San Siro?</a>

Currently, City are at the top of the table, having won six games and lost one. Meanwhile, Arsenal are on the third spot and remain only the second team to have an unbeaten record so far. However, they will be coming into the contest after suffering a shock 1-2 defeat against Ligue 1 side Lens in the Champions League on Tuesday (October 3).&nbsp;

The last time City visited the Emirates, Arsenal had to endure a harrowing 3-1 defeat after Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring in the 24th minute, capitalising on an error from Takehiro Tomiyasu.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Arsenal defender William Saliba has revealed it was "really painful" to watch his team lose out on the Premier League title after he suffered an injury that forced him to sit out the business end of the league last season.

Arsenal defender William Saliba has revealed it was "really painful" to watch his team lose out on the Premier League title after he suffered an injury that forced him to sit out the business end of the league last season. Saliba, regarded as the next big defender of his generation, often drawing comparisons to Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk for similar playing styles, was the mainstay for his side throughout the title run. However, his absence had a catastrophic effect on the team's performance as Arsenal slipped from the number one spot. “Of course, it was really painful because I watched my team play every game, the most important of the season, and I was not able to play. Of course, it hurt me. Of course, I could have helped my team to maybe win the Premier League but we never know," said Saliba. "It was a good experience because we were first for all the season and at the end we finished second. Every game is so important, we try to win every game to win the league. Injuries are part of football and hopefully I won’t be injured.” Arsenal's defensive record without Saliba In the 27 league games that Saliba started, he helped Arsenal keep a clean sheet in 11 of them. Post his injury the London-based team could only keep two clean sheets in nine games as Manchester City came from behind to secure a third consecutive title. Saliba's statement comes days ahead of his side's all-important tie against City. The Gunners currently have the wood on City, having beaten them once already this season, winning the Community Shield via penalties, after scoring at the death to equalise the game. The match on the weekend, scheduled to take place at the Emirates Stadium will be an opportunity for Arsenal to pip their rivals and go top of the table. Also read | Why are Inter fans distributing 50,000 whistles ahead of Lukaku's visit to San Siro? Currently, City are at the top of the table, having won six games and lost one. Meanwhile, Arsenal are on the third spot and remain only the second team to have an unbeaten record so far. However, they will be coming into the contest after suffering a shock 1-2 defeat against Ligue 1 side Lens in the Champions League on Tuesday (October 3). The last time City visited the Emirates, Arsenal had to endure a harrowing 3-1 defeat after Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring in the 24th minute, capitalising on an error from Takehiro Tomiyasu. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'It was really painful...': William Saliba on Arsenal slipping up in title race last season

Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League with a dominant 3-0 win at Brentford, while Everton beat West Ham 1-0 to get their first victory of the season on Sunday.

Injuries to captain Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko had stretched Arsenal's squad to the extent that 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri came off the bench late to become the youngest player in Premier League history.

However, the Gunners showed no sign of weakness at a ground where they were beaten 2-0 last season to move back one point above Manchester City and Tottenham at the top of the table.

William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus headed in before half-time and Fabio Vieira marked his first Premier League start with a stunning strike after the break. Brentford boss Thomas Frank said he believes Arsenal will be title contenders and they played like it to blow away the Bees in the first 45 minutes.

"We have a different mentality this season," said Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka. "We are training like we play and have class with the players that can make a difference."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/juventus-midfielder-paul-pogbas-brother-mathias-detained-in-alleged-extortion-case-517381">Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba's brother Mathias detained in alleged extortion case</a>

The match had been moved forward two hours to help ease police pressures around Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and Britain's longest-serving monarch was remembered in a minute's silence before kick-off.

Once the action did get underway, it was one way traffic as Arsenal bounced back in style from their sole defeat of the season away to Manchester United two weeks ago. 
It took just 17 minutes for Mikel Arteta's men to make the breakthrough when Saliba flicked Bukayo Saka's corner in off the far post.

Jesus also used his head to score his fourth goal in seven Premier League games since joining from Manchester City as he powered home an enticing delivery from Xhaka.

The absence of Odegaard also made room for Vieira and the Portuguese midfielder made his mark with a sumptuous strike from outside the box to kill off any doubt over the outcome four minutes into the second half.

An easy day for Arsenal was rounded off a minute from time when Arteta was able to hand Nwaneri his debut as just 15 years and 181 days, breaking Harvey Elliott's record as the youngest player in Premier League history when he appeared for Fulham as a 16-year-old.

"It was a pure gut feeling," said Arteta on handing Nwaneri a debut.

"Yesterday he had to come because we have injuries, especially the injury of Martin and then I had that feeling from yesterday that if the opportunity could come that I was going to do it."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/arsensal-schholboy-ethan-nwaneri-becomes-youngest-player-to-play-in-the-premier-league-517415">Arsenal schoolboy Ethan Nwaneri becomes youngest to play in the Premier League at 15</a>

At the other end of the table, West Ham will spend the upcoming international break in the bottom three after Neal Maupay's first Everton goal gave the Toffees a much-needed win. Frank Lampard's men are now unbeaten in five league games but had just four points on the board before kick-off from four consecutive draws.

An injury to Dominic Calvert-Lewin forced Everton to seek more firepower in the final weeks of the transfer window and Maupay delivered on just his second appearance since a move from Brighton. The Frenchman spun onto Alex Iwobi's pass and fired in from the edge of the area to lift Everton up to 13th in the table.

West Ham slip to 18th with just one win from their opening seven league games. 
&nbsp;

Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League with a dominant 3-0 win at Brentford, while Everton beat West Ham 1-0 to get their first victory of the season on Sunday.

Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League with a dominant 3-0 win at Brentford, while Everton beat West Ham 1-0 to get their first victory of the season on Sunday. Injuries to captain Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko had stretched Arsenal's squad to the extent that 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri came off the bench late to become the youngest player in Premier League history. However, the Gunners showed no sign of weakness at a ground where they were beaten 2-0 last season to move back one point above Manchester City and Tottenham at the top of the table. William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus headed in before half-time and Fabio Vieira marked his first Premier League start with a stunning strike after the break. Brentford boss Thomas Frank said he believes Arsenal will be title contenders and they played like it to blow away the Bees in the first 45 minutes. "We have a different mentality this season," said Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka. "We are training like we play and have class with the players that can make a difference." Also Read: Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba's brother Mathias detained in alleged extortion case The match had been moved forward two hours to help ease police pressures around Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and Britain's longest-serving monarch was remembered in a minute's silence before kick-off. Once the action did get underway, it was one way traffic as Arsenal bounced back in style from their sole defeat of the season away to Manchester United two weeks ago. It took just 17 minutes for Mikel Arteta's men to make the breakthrough when Saliba flicked Bukayo Saka's corner in off the far post. Jesus also used his head to score his fourth goal in seven Premier League games since joining from Manchester City as he powered home an enticing delivery from Xhaka. The absence of Odegaard also made room for Vieira and the Portuguese midfielder made his mark with a sumptuous strike from outside the box to kill off any doubt over the outcome four minutes into the second half. An easy day for Arsenal was rounded off a minute from time when Arteta was able to hand Nwaneri his debut as just 15 years and 181 days, breaking Harvey Elliott's record as the youngest player in Premier League history when he appeared for Fulham as a 16-year-old. "It was a pure gut feeling," said Arteta on handing Nwaneri a debut. "Yesterday he had to come because we have injuries, especially the injury of Martin and then I had that feeling from yesterday that if the opportunity could come that I was going to do it." Also Read: Arsenal schoolboy Ethan Nwaneri becomes youngest to play in the Premier League at 15 At the other end of the table, West Ham will spend the upcoming international break in the bottom three after Neal Maupay's first Everton goal gave the Toffees a much-needed win. Frank Lampard's men are now unbeaten in five league games but had just four points on the board before kick-off from four consecutive draws. An injury to Dominic Calvert-Lewin forced Everton to seek more firepower in the final weeks of the transfer window and Maupay delivered on just his second appearance since a move from Brighton. The Frenchman spun onto Alex Iwobi's pass and fired in from the edge of the area to lift Everton up to 13th in the table. West Ham slip to 18th with just one win from their opening seven league games.

William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus score as Arsenal thrash Brentford 3-0 to regain Premier League top spot

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Injury to THIS star Arsenal player could derail Arteta's title charge once again

'It was really painful...': William Saliba on Arsenal slipping up in title race last season

William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus score as Arsenal thrash Brentford 3-0 to regain Premier League top spot