On Monday night, William Saliba found himself at the center of online ridicule after an unfortunate slip led to a penalty during France’s 2-1 victory against Belgium.
The 23-year-old Arsenal defender, known for his strong performances in the Premier League, quickly became a target for criticism following what many fans called an ‘awful display.’
A Misstep that Turned the Tide
Saliba, who has been highly praised for his defensive skills, slipped and collided with Belgium’s Lois Openda, conceding a penalty in the first half.
Fortunately for France, Youri Tielemans failed to convert, sending the penalty over the bar in the Nations League match held in Brussels.
Despite the lucky escape, the incident left a mark, and Saliba was shown a yellow card for his challenge.
Social Media Backlash
The internet was quick to react, with football fans from all corners taking to social media to voice their opinions.
Even some Arsenal supporters were critical of Saliba’s performance, with one X (formerly Twitter) user calling it an ‘awful display.’
Others used the moment to downplay the defender’s value, with one post reading, “Hope Real Madrid are watching. William Saliba isn’t all he’s cracked up to be, especially without Gabriel beside him.”
Chelsea fans chimed in as well, with one declaring, “I’ve seen enough. Don’t ever compare Saliba to Levi Colwill again,” while another harshly added, “William Saliba has mastered the art of looking busy. He’s not elite by any means.”
Real Madrid Speculation and Arsenal’s Response
Interestingly, some fans twisted the moment into a warning for Real Madrid, who have reportedly shown interest in Saliba for the upcoming summer transfer window.
Arsenal fans were quick to suggest that Madrid should look elsewhere, claiming that the Frenchman’s performances are inflated by the system at Arsenal.
“He’s nowhere near good enough for Madrid. They should go for Micky van de Ven instead,” one user wrote, pointing Madrid towards the Tottenham defender.
However, not everyone agreed with the harsh critiques. Several supporters defended Saliba, calling the backlash unwarranted for a single mistake.
“So, after all the great defensive work, one bad tackle means he’s overrated? That’s just unfair,” said a frustrated fan.
Another laughed off the overreaction, saying, “He makes one bad tackle, and suddenly, he’s not what everyone thought.”
Arsenal Unfazed by Madrid’s Interest
Saliba, who is contracted with Arsenal until 2027 after signing an extension last year, remains a key part of Mikel Arteta’s squad.
The Gunners are reportedly not concerned about the interest from Real Madrid, confident in their ability to fend off any bids for their prized defender.
With Saliba having played all 38 Premier League games last season, Arsenal sees no reason to worry about the rumors, despite Monday night’s slip-up.
Only time will tell how this latest development impacts his future, but for now, Arsenal seems intent on keeping him at the Emirates.