“How William Saliba’s Euro 2024 Exit Could Propel Arsenal in the Champions League”
“How William Saliba’s Euro 2024 Exit Could Propel Arsenal in the Champions League”
Arsenal defender William Saliba was able to establish himself on the international stage at Euro 2024 this summer.
William Saliba was already a beloved and respected figure at Arsenal prior to the start of Euro 2024.
However, he went to Germany with plenty to prove at international level. Ahead of the competition, Saliba was not even expected to feature regularly for France. However, the 23-year-old went on to start the nation’s every game in the tournament.
Even as Didier Deschamps’ side were eliminated by Spain at the semi-final stage in Munich last night, the French media were still impressed by Saliba’s display. He now looks destined to a be a fixture in the heart of Les Bleus’ defence for many years to come.
Mikel Arteta will now be hoping that Saliba’s development over the course of his Euro 2024 journey can benefit the Gunners next season.
Why William Saliba could hit another level in the Champions League for Arsenal after Euro 2024 campaign
The Arsenal man did not look entirely confident at the start of the European Championship. As France got their campaign underway against Austria, Saliba lacked a little of his usual composure, and lost out in a number of duels.
However, he grew into the competition, improving with each passing match, until he looked entirely comfortable and at home at that level.
Saliba underwent something of a similar process with Arsenal last season, during the knockout rounds of the Champions League. As the Gunners took on Porto and Bayern Munich, the defender had a couple of uncharacteristically nervy moments as he sought to adjust to the demands of elite level football in the continental competition.
Of course, this is a very normal process for players to go through as they progress up through the levels of the game. Saliba has already proven himself to be remarkable, as he is already held in such high regard despite being relatively young for a centre-back.
The Gunners will now be hoping, that having shone at Euro 2024, Saliba will be ready attack their upcoming Champions League campaign and impose himself on the competition from the start.
Mikel Arteta has point to prove in the Champions League
Having previously disappointed in continental competition under Arteta, Arsenal were able to reach the Champions League quarter-finals last time out. However, there is an argument that the Gunners ought to have found a way past Bayern Munich.
Arteta has promised Arsenal fans that silverware is on the way. The Champions League could arguably prove easier for the North London club to win than the Premier League, given the shorter-form, knockout nature of the competition. Arsenal must have serious ambitions of winning the competition from the outset this season.
