‘Overwhelmed’: In-form Arsenal star slammed after international display, receives 3/10 ratings

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Arsenal’s William Saliba started for France on Sunday but struggled to take his Premier League form onto the international stage.

The international break is upon us and that usually sparks groans up and down the country.

Trading Premier League action for typically-drab international games never sets pulses racing, even with the World Cup on the horizon.

England aren’t exactly giving fans anything to cheer about and other big nations are having struggles of their own too.

Arsenal’s William Saliba started for France

France were in action on Sunday evening as they took on Denmark in their final game before the World Cup kicks off in November.

Didier Deschamps will be taking on Denmark in the group stage too, so this will have been great preparation.

Yet if this was a dress rehearsal, France have big issues to resolve in the next two months.

Kasper Dolberg and Andreas Skov Olsen both scored in the first half, giving Denmark a 2-0 victory as France were unable to respond.

Arsenal defender Saliba was given a start on the right side of France’s back three having dazzled in the Premier League so far this season.

Three years after signing for Arsenal from Saint-Etienne, Saliba is finally shining in London and has looked outstanding for the Gunners.

Taking that form to the international stage has proven tricky though and Saliba was hooked at half time after a disappointing display.

Saliba allowed the cross to come in for Dolberg’s opener, failing to close down Mikkel Damsgaard quickly enough.

Deschamps had seen enough and brought on Jonathan Clauss at half time as France had a reshuffle.

The upside for Arsenal is that Saliba will be relatively fresh for this weekend’s North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

Yet the French press have been less than impressed with Saliba’s display.

Le Figaro suggested that Saliba was ‘overwhelmed’ against Denmark and gave Damsgaard too much space, as seen with Dolberg’s goal.

Foot Mercato have rated Saliba at just 3/10, blaming him for Dolberg’s opener whilst noting that he didn’t really help on defending set pieces.

Get French Football News have also given Saliba a 3/10 rating, describing him as ‘visibly uncoordinated’ against the Danish attack.

Saliba needs to put this game behind him and get back to his strong Premier League form, especially as he must shackle Son Heung-min and Harry Kane in just a matter of days.