Arsenal duo slip up in Belgium-France clash | OneFootball

In an eventful match between France and Belgium, Arsenal’s William Saliba conceded a penalty and Leandro Trossard wore the captain’s armband, but Saliba ended up on the winning side.

ROME, ITALY: Leandro Trossard of Belgium looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Italy and Belgium at Stadio Olimpico on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Belgium hosted France for a Nations League match on Monday, pitting Arsenal teammates Leandro Trossard and William Saliba against each other. The pair both started the match, but it didn’t go particularly well for either of them.

Saliba was the first to slip up, quite literally, as his boot gave way under him as he attempted to stop. The Arsenal defender flew into Lois Openda as a result and conceded a clear penalty.

It was an unfortunate slip, but it wasn’t punished, with Youri Tielemans skying the resulting spot-kick.

France’s midfielder Adrien Rabiot consoles William Saliba after the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final football match between Spain and France at the Munich Football Arena in Munich on July 9, 2024. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

After Randal Kolo Muani gave France the lead, Openda pulled Belgium level with a header, and Saliba will feel disappointed as his closest marker.

Manu Kone then had a goal ruled out for handball, before Kolo Muani scored his second of the game for 2-1.

The drama wasn’t quite done yet, with Aurelien Tchouameni receiving a red card in the 76th minute. But Belgium failed to capitalise, and the game ended 2-1 to France. The highlights are available here.

ROME, ITALY: Leandro Trossard of Belgium looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Italy and Belgium at Stadio Olimpico on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Trossard played the full 90 minutes, and he’ll be disappointed that a few chances to get on the scoresheet passed him by. The Arsenal forward had six shots, three of which were on target, but he couldn’t find the net.

On the other hand, Trossard will be proud to have pulled on the captain’s armband following Tielemans’ substitution, wearing it for the final 10 minutes.

The good news from an Arsenal fan perspective is that both players appeared to end the game without injury.

The result leaves France five points clear of Belgium with two group games to go, though Italy lead the group by a further point. Two teams qualify from each group, so both are on course to make the quarter-finals.

Israel are bottom after four straight defeats, four points behind Belgium, and their best-case scenario is now the relegation play-offs.