Arsenal has announced that William Saliba will be unavailable for an extended duration due to a back injury he sustained while playing for France during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Softfootball reports that the 25-year-old center-back had to leave the field just 30 minutes into France’s semi-final match against Spain in July, prompting concerns about the injury’s severity.
After thorough medical evaluations, Arsenal confirmed that surgery will not be necessary. Saliba will commence a structured rehabilitation program under the supervision of the club’s medical team. The choice to forgo surgery is considered encouraging; however, Saliba is anticipated to miss a considerable portion of the forthcoming season as he concentrates on his recovery.
As a key player in Arsenal’s defense in recent years, Saliba’s absence poses a significant challenge for manager Mikel Arteta as the team prepares for the new season.
Arsenal’s medical staff will keep a close watch on Saliba’s recovery, prioritizing his safe return to play over hurrying him back before he is fully recovered.
