Arsenal have been handed a welcome boost over William Saliba after Zinedine Zidane named his second France squad.

Former Real Madrid head coach Zidane is preparing to take charge of Les Bleus for just the fifth time after replacing Didier Deschamps, who stood down following the 2026 World Cup in north America earlier this summer.

The first post-World Cup international window was an extended one which lasted three weeks with France facing Belgium twice, Italy and Turkey in a Nations League quadruple-header.

France took four points from a possible 12 to sit top of League A, Group 1 ahead of facing Italy and Turkey within the next nine days.

William Saliba has not played a single minute for club or country this season

AFP/Getty

However, the 25-year-old has not been selected by Zidane for France duty this month.

The news will be welcomed by Mikel Arteta as Saliba should benefit from more time in training, though the Frenchman will miss out on some valuable minutes to build up his match sharpness.

“We’ve been in very close contact,” Arteta said on Friday ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Hull. “They’re announcing [their squad] at 5pm this evening.

“They have all the information, now it’s about them, about Zinedine in this case to make the call. We will accept whatever it is.”

After the international break, Arsenal face Newcastle at St James’ Park, with home games to follow against Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.