Alexandre Lacazette has been called up to Thierry Henry’s France squad for the Olympics this summer, but William Saliba has been excluded as expected.

Lyon's French forward #10 Alexandre Lacazette (L) celebrates with Lyon's French defender #20 Sael Kumbedi after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) and Toulouse (TFC) at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, central eastern France, on December 10, 2023. (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Images)
Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette (L) celebrates with Lyon’s Sael Kumbedi after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) and Toulouse (TFC) at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, central eastern France, on December 10, 2023. (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Images)

France u23 coach Thierry Henry confirmed his call-ups for the summer Olympics on Monday morning, with the games set to take place in Paris this summer.

There had been plenty of speculation around potential inclusions in the squad, with three over-23 players permitted. In the end, former Gunner Alexandre Lacazette took one of those spots, joined by Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace.

Arsenal’s William Saliba was eligible for the squad as an u23 player, but he wasn’t included in Henry’s list.

Reports suggest the Gunners moved to block Saliba from a call-up,  due to his inclusion in France’s Euro 2024 squad this summer.

France's forward Kylian Mbappe (L) fights for the ball with France's defender WIlliam Saliba (R) during a training session in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, on November 14, 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 forward Kylian Mbappe (L) fights for the ball with France’s defender William Saliba (R) during a training session in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, on November 14, 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.

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.

Arsenal's William Saliba celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Burnley at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 11, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s William Saliba celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Burnley at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 11, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via 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.