The Marseille contingent in attendance at France’s meeting with Côte d’Ivoire this evening made use of the opportunity to reveal their appreciation for Arsenal talent William Saliba.

Friday night, thus far, has proven an altogether special one for youngster Saliba.

This comes with the former Saint-Etienne man, just days on from turning 21, having been afforded his senior international bow.

After being called up in place of the injured Benjamin Pavard earlier this week, Saliba was introduced off the bench just shy of the hour mark, in place of Manchester United star Raphael Varane:

William Saliba remplace Raphaël Varane.

1️⃣̀ ́ pour le marseillais, dans son stade

1-1 | #FRACIV | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/BQ2p57zhhx

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 25, 2022

And, as alluded to above, the home crowd in attendance quickly made clear their immense support for the stopper.

With the clash being played out at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome, Saliba’s home for the 2021/22 campaign, the youngster was met with rapturous applause and celebrations each and every time the ball reached his feet.

Enormous, deafening cheer and applause every time that William Saliba touches the ball in the Stade Vélodrome – the support is awesome.

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 25, 2022

Tchouameni at the death

Saliba’s introduction actually came en route to France bagging a last-gasp winner on Friday evening.

Another player on the books of Premier League giants Arsenal – in the form of Nicolas Pepe – took centre stage with 20 minutes on the clock, in opening the game’s scoring courtesy of a fine individual effort.

A former Gunner bagged an equaliser for the the hosts just minutes later, though, as Olivier Giroud rose highest to nod home Theo Hernandez’s delivery from the left flank.

Then, just when it appeared as though the clash was set to peter out into stalemate, France struck once more, as Monaco standout Aurelien Tchouameni capped a Man of the Match performance with a fine header to secure a 2-1 win for the world champions.

 

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