Arsenal have been dealt a significant injury blow as centre-back William Saliba has been ruled out for an "extended period" due to a back problem, the Premier League champions confirmed.
The 25-year-old played through the issue during France's run to the World Cup semi-final, but was forced off after just 30 minutes of their last-four defeat to Spain. Subsequent specialist reviews in London concluded that surgery is not required, but Saliba must undergo a managed recovery programme.
"William's rehabilitation will commence immediately, with continual management of his injury, and he is expected to be out of action for an extended period," an Arsenal statement said. "Everyone is fully focused on supporting William to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible."
Saliba sat out France's third-place playoff against England after the injury. Earlier in the tournament, he acknowledged he had been "gritting his teeth" through minor niggles for months, citing the demands of the Champions League and Premier League, and the rarity of a World Cup.
Meanwhile, Arsenal's England duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice also managed injury problems during the tournament but were fit enough to feature in the third-place decider, with Rice scoring the opener and Saka netting a hat-trick.
