Arsenal to evaluate Saliba’s back injury after World Cup strain
Surgery is among the treatment options being considered for the 25-year-old, though an operation would likely necessitate a long-term lay-off upon his return to London.
Arsenal are preparing to conduct a comprehensive medical assessment of William Saliba’s back injury upon his return to the club following World Cup duty with France. The 25-year-old centre-back has been managing a persistent back issue for several weeks, a problem that appeared to significantly worsen during France’s semi-final defeat to Spain.
The injury forced Saliba off the pitch after just 30 minutes of play in the semi-final, raising immediate concerns regarding his availability for the upcoming domestic season. While a final diagnosis is pending, club officials have confirmed that surgery is among the treatment options being considered. However, medical staff have cautioned that an operation would likely require a long-term lay-off for recovery.
Saliba had previously indicated that he had been carrying minor niggles for several months prior to the tournament. Speaking earlier in the World Cup, the defender stated he had been "gritting his teeth" through the discomfort to prioritise the international competition, noting that the World Cup occurs only once every four years. He had already missed France’s final group match against Norway before returning to Didier Deschamps’ side for the knockout stages.
The potential absence of Saliba represents a significant blow to Arsenal’s defensive structure. The centre-back was a cornerstone of the Gunners’ campaign last season, making 50 appearances across all competitions. His durability and consistency were instrumental in Arsenal ending a 22-year wait to win the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final.
France are scheduled to play England in the World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday at 22:00 BST. Saliba’s immediate availability for this match remains uncertain, but the focus for Arsenal will be on a thorough evaluation once he reports back to London to determine the extent of the damage and the appropriate course of treatment.
