Arsenal have decided to block William Saliba from representing France at the Olympics this summer, according to a report.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on November 11, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on November 11, 2023. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

France are set to participate in both the European Championships and the Olympics this summer, with the 2024 games taking place in Paris.

Given William Saliba’s age, he would have been an attractive player for French Olympic coach and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to call up.

He’s under the age limit for the tournament, as he was born after January 1st, 2001, meaning he’d make an experienced addition to the side without costing France one of their three overage slots.

Yet they won’t get the chance to call him up, with French outlet Le Parisien reporting that Arsenal have blocked him from participating.

France's defender William Saliba (L) controls the ball during a training session in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines on November 15, 2023 as part of the team's preparation for upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament qualifying matches. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
France’s defender William Saliba (L) controls the ball during a training session in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines on November 15, 2023 as part of the team’s preparation for upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament qualifying matches. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

The Mirror had previously confirmed that Arsenal could refuse to release Saliba, as the Olympics isn’t recognised by FIFA.

As for why Arsenal would choose to do so, France are playing in the Euros between June 14th and July 14th, with the Olympics taking place from July 24th to August 10th.

Saliba has already been called up to France’s provisional Euro 2024 squad, so allowing him to take part in both tournaments would mean he’d spend the whole summer playing football.

Arsenal would then have to allow Saliba to go on holiday during the first three or four weeks of the 2024/25 club campaign.

LONDON, ENGLAND: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on November 11, 2023. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on November 11, 2023. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Instead, with Saliba barred from Olympic participation, his season will end on July 14th at the very latest.

With Arsenal failing to qualify for the Community Shield, their season will begin on the weekend of August 17th. Even if Saliba is given a month off, he’ll be back with the squad by the time the Premier League campaign gets underway.