Arsenal fans have long known what France had in William Saliba. It took Didier Deschamps some time.

“He is having a good season, but he also does things that I do not like,” the cautious French manager admitted in March. However, Deschamps never abandoned the Arsenal star.

Saliba was named in France’s 2022 World Cup, starting an insignificant group game, and following a strong second season for Arsenal, his inclusion in the 26-man Euro 2024 squad seemed unavoidable. Les Bleus are not short with top centre-backs, making Saliba’s search for starts all the more difficult, although Raphael Varane’s retirement and Ibrahima Konate’s drop in form down the stretch in 2023/24 boosted Saliba’s prospects.

Before France’s opening match against Austria, it was determined that the 23-year-old would start alongside Dayot Upamecano. The two-time European champions are currently ready for a quarter-final in Euro 2024 after keeping three clean sheets.

Saliba has undoubtedly impressed, confirming Deschamps’ delayed faith, and he kept his greatest effort of the tournament so far for the start of France’s knockout stage campaign, when Deschamps’ team normally gets going.

Romelu Lukaku may no longer be the toned beast who terrorised Italian defences under Antonio Conte at Inter. That was a very wicked version of the Belgian striker. Since leaving Conte, Lukaku has regressed to a somewhat more beefier and static forward, but his power remains undeniable. He is still a handful, and few forwards are better at pinning and rolling a centre back.

Saliba never bit.

This may have been a frightening match for the young Arsenal defender, but Saliba has embraced the big moments in his Arsenal career thus far. Last season, the 23-year-old put together three of his greatest performances at Anfield, Old Trafford, and the Etihad. He does not mind where he is or who he is up against. He just performs.

France’s encounter against Belgium in the round of 16 was extremely boring as the Belgians tried to outplay the French. A pivotal moment was unavoidable when the contest’s dynamics emerged in the opening stages, and Saliba had a part in dealing France’s crushing blow.

Midway through the second half, Lukaku started to creep across to Upamecano in an attempt to enter the game, as Saliba made no adjustments. But with only six minutes left, the two were fighting on the French box’s edge. Once again, Saliba was physical equivalent to Lukaku, able to thwart a roll and pull the ball away from behind. With a strong forward push from Deschamps’ team, a deflected shot from Randal Kolo Muani sent the French through.

Saliba’s subjection of Lukaku was stunning, but performances like the one the 23-year-old delivered in Dusseldorf are not unusual.

The Arsenal player delivered a masterclass in duel-winning and touch-tight defending, but his performance was not flawless. There could have been things Deschamps did not “like so much”. The narratives around his performance might have been different if he had not been rescued by a brilliant Theo Hernandez recovery challenge after Lois Openda pick-pocketed Saliba in possession midway through the second half.

However, that mishap will not be remembered for long. Instead, Saliba’s Euro 2024 campaign appears to be just the beginning of a successful international career. He may already be the world’s best.