Arsenal were dealt a major injury worry as William Saliba hobbled off during the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain. The centre-back was replaced by Maxence Lacroix after going down clutching his lower back on the half-hour mark, with France trailing 1-0 at the interval in Arlington, Texas.
Saliba's Injury and France's Setback
Saliba, 25, had been playing through a back problem throughout the tournament, as he revealed before France's group game against Iraq. He said: "I've had some minor niggles for several months. I've been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well. The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you've got to grit your teeth." He added, "I'm not at 100 per cent, but there are plenty of players who aren't at 100 per cent either - you can't make excuses."
After medical assessment, Saliba was ruled unable to continue, and Lacroix, a transfer target for Chelsea, came on. The injury is a blow for France, who also lost Lucas Digne earlier in the match after he conceded a penalty for a foul on Lamine Yamal, which Mikel Oyarzabal converted to give Spain the lead.
Impact on Arsenal
For Arsenal, Saliba's injury is a significant concern as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League season. The defender has been a key player for Mikel Arteta's side, and his fitness will be monitored closely. The extent of the back problem and the recovery timeline remain unclear, but Arsenal will hope it does not keep him sidelined for an extended period.
