Arsenal confirm Saliba to miss extended period with back injury
Mikel Arteta faces defensive reshuffle as William Saliba undergoes managed recovery after injury sustained in France’s semi-final defeat to Spain.
Arsenal have confirmed that defender William Saliba will miss an extended period due to a back injury sustained while representing France at the World Cup. The 25-year-old was forced off after 30 minutes of France’s semi-final loss to Spain and subsequently missed the bronze medal match against England.
Following a specialist assessment in London, it was determined that surgery is not required. Instead, Saliba will undergo a managed recovery programme. The club noted that the defender had been managing the issue for several weeks, carrying the problem through the Champions League and Premier League campaigns prior to the international tournament.
Saliba’s absence presents an immediate challenge for manager Mikel Arteta. Arsenal are scheduled to play Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August, followed by their Premier League title defence against Coventry City. The timeframe raises questions regarding his availability for the upcoming fixtures, though no specific return date has been provided.
The defender’s partnership with Gabriel was a key factor in Arsenal ending their 22-year wait to win the Premier League last season. Saliba made 50 appearances across all competitions last year, contributing to the club’s domestic success and their run to the Champions League final.
Earlier in the World Cup, Saliba acknowledged the physical toll of the season. He stated that he had been dealing with minor niggles for several months and had been “gritting his teeth” to remain available for club duties, noting that the World Cup only occurs once every four years.
