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Arsenal star William Saliba went to primary school with Kylian Mbappe and was coached by the Paris Saint-Germain forwards’s father.
Saliba has turned heads this season with his performances at the centre of the Gunners’ defence.
Mikel Arteta’s side sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League, largely on account of their stubborn back-four who have conceded just 11 goals in their 14 Premier League games.
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Saliba’s performances have earned him a call-up to Didier Deschamp’s World Cup squad, where he will compete with Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane, Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano for a starting berth.
While the 21-year-old is a relatively new member of Les Blues’ squad, having received all seven of his international caps this year, he should have little trouble bedding in having known one of its star members for years.
Mbappe and Saliba
Both Mbappe and Saliba were raised in Bondy, the northeastern suburb of Paris, and it was there that they each took the first steps of their football journey.
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Saliba has discussed growing up with Mbappe and being coached by the PSG star’s dad Wilfried in the past
Speaking to Arsenal Player in 2019 Saliba said: "I grew up on an estate.
"Honestly, growing up on an estate helps. You're together with all your mates, you get to play in your neighbourhood on the local five-a-side pitches.
"You're all together, and everyone likes football there, so honestly it's easy. When you come from an estate, you've got the determination to get out of it.
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"I know Kylian Mbappe, too. He went to my primary school when we were little, and his father was my coach when I was little, too."
The pair now travel to Qatar hoping to help France win their second consecutive World Cup, and the third in the country’s history.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Football, William Saliba, Kylian Mbappe, France