Roy Keane was no-nonsense as a player and that hasn’t changed now that he is a pundit.
The legendary midfielder won trophy after trophy at Manchester United, and many times, it came at the expense of Arsenal.
If it wasn’t for Keane captaining his team to such success, then Arsenal would have won more trophies under the stewardship of Arsene Wenger.
So, he knows a thing or two about how to get over the line and Arsenal fans will probably have a mixed response about what he has had to say now.
William Saliba is a very important player for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta. He is a key reason why they had the best defence in the Premier League last season, with only 29 goals conceded, before losing out on the title to Manchester City.
But that hasn’t always translated itself onto the international stage and for France where he has had to prove himself a lot more.
Before France could beat Austria 1-0 for their Euro 2024 opener on Monday, which Saliba started, there was talk about the criticism the centre-back has received from Didier Deschamps.
The France manager has been critical of what the 23-year-old has produced, even though many have felt that he has been performing for Arsenal.
But Keane, in his own typical way, stated that he ‘likes it a lot’ and thinks ‘he hasn’t performed at international level’, so the criticism is right, as he told ITV Sport.
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At the end of the day, Deschamps can talk the talk because he guided his nation to World Cup glory in 2018 and is now looking to add the European Championships to his ranks.
Didier Deschamps criticism of Arsenal star William Saliba
“I like it,” said Keane. “I like it. It’s right. You challenge your players. If he isn’t performing, then you have to improve.
Keane is then told that ‘Saliba is performing’: “Yes, but he hasn’t performed at international level yet,” responded the Manchester United legend.
“It’s just a little challenge. I am okay with that. I like it. I like it a lot.”
France beat Austria at Euro 2024
France are one of the favourites to win Euro 2024, alongside England and they secured a 1-0 win in their opening game against Austria.
Before the game, some probably expected Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté to start alongside Dayot Upamecano because that has been his regular choice in recent times.
READ MORE: ’Nonsense…’ Richard Keys hits out at what he’s hearing about Arsenal star at Euro 2024
But Deschamps pushed for Saliba instead and he helped his nation secure the win and register a clean sheet.
It’s a positive start for the player, but you feel he still has a lot to prove and he can take his game to serious heights if he comes out of this tournament as one of his side’s best players.
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