Arsenal star ‘gritting teeth’ as he plays through injury at World Cup

William Saliba is a key player for France at this summer’s World Cup (Picture: Getty Images)

France and Arsenal defender William Saliba is ‘gritting his teeth’ and fighting through the pain of injury during this summer’s World Cup.

The 25-year-old has been a warhorse for the Gunners over the last three seasons, reaching a half-century of appearances for three campaigns on the spin.

The centre-back was nursing injuries in the second half of the season but played on as Arsenal pushed on to win the Premier League title and narrowly missed out on winning the Champions League.

There were some fears that he had cost himself a place at the World Cup by aggravating a back problem, but he has made it across the Atlantic with the rest of the France squad.

Saliba played the full match as France beat Senegal 3-1 in their opener and intends to keep playing, despite it being a painful eperience.

Ahead of France’s second game against Iraq on Monday, Saliba said: ‘I’ve had some minor niggles for several months. I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well.

‘The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth. I’m not at 100 per cent, but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100% either — you can’t make excuses.’

Saliba played the full game as France beat Senegal in their World Cup opener (Picture: Getty Images)

France boss Didier Deschamps addressed the injury headache for his defender ahead of the tournament.

‘He is being looked after by the medical staff, and we are also managing him based on how he feels,’ said the long-serving manager.

‘But it’s something he’s had for several weeks and it hasn’t prevented him from playing every match with Arsenal, including that final for 120 minutes.’

Saliba will add to his 33 France caps in the coming days (Picture: Getty Images)

France are runaway favourites to beat Iraq on Monday after Norway hammered them 4-1 in their first match of the tournament.

‘We’ve watched some of the videos from their game against Norway, and I think they have a good team,’ said Saliba.

‘It won’t be easy, even if people think ​that because we’re playing Iraq we’ll automatically get the three points.’

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