According to a report by Football.London on Wednesday, October 08, 2025, Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has heaped praise on his France teammate Michael Olise, describing the Bayern Munich star as a “very good player” ahead of Les Bleus’ World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on Thursday.
Olise, 23, is currently one of the most exciting attacking talents in Europe. After a brief spell in Arsenal’s academy during his formative years, he joined Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024, where he has taken his game to another level. Since arriving in Germany, the winger has recorded 25 goals and 29 assists in just 65 appearances, helping Bayern maintain their domestic dominance and challenge for European honours.
Born in London to a French mother and Nigerian father, Olise was eligible to represent France, England, Algeria, or Nigeria at international level. However, he opted for France, making his senior debut in 2024 and has since scored three goals in 10 appearances. His creativity, flair, and composure on the ball have quickly made him a fan favourite among French supporters.
Speaking ahead of France’s clash with Azerbaijan, Saliba couldn’t hide his admiration for his compatriot. “He’s one of the technical leaders, he brings a bit of madness to this team because he’s above average technically,” the Arsenal defender said. “He’s a cool guy, he’s funny. He’s a bit nonchalant sometimes but he’s a very good player and he’s going to bring even more to this team given his quality.”
Olise’s football journey has been far from straightforward. As a youngster, he faced a major decision between Arsenal and Chelsea, two of London’s biggest clubs. According to former Chelsea coach Sean Conlon, who discovered the player at age seven while he was representing Hayes, the Blues quickly secured his signature after recognizing his immense potential.
Since then, Olise’s career has steadily progressed—from his early days at Reading, to shining in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, and now thriving among Europe’s elite at Bayern Munich. His rapid rise has also led to growing comparisons with France icons such as Franck Ribéry and Kingsley Coman, both of whom made their names as dynamic wide players in the national setup.
With the form he’s in, Olise is expected to play a crucial role for Didier Deschamps’ side as France continue their march toward World Cup qualification, and Saliba’s comments suggest the Arsenal defender knows just how valuable his teammate has become for the national team.
