William Saliba is facing a potential five-month absence after being forced off during France's World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain. The Arsenal defender is set to undergo surgery for a back injury that has troubled him for months, according to French outlet L'Equipe. The recovery timeline of four to five months means Saliba will miss the opening months of Arsenal's Premier League title defence.
Injury Details and Impact on Arsenal
Saliba collapsed in agony during the first half of the semi-final on Tuesday and was substituted after just 30 minutes. He reportedly told defensive partner Dayot Upamecano, “I can’t take it any more, my back is finished.” The 25-year-old had been managing the issue for some time before the tournament, admitting before the World Cup: “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 around only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth. I’m not at 100 percent, but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100 per cent either. You can’t make excuses.”
The injury is a significant blow to Arsenal, who have built their recent success around a solid defence featuring Saliba and Gabriel as the Premier League's top centre-back partnership. With Saliba sidelined, Mikel Arteta will rely on Ben White and Jurrien Timber to fill the gap. Arsenal begin their season at home to Coventry, and within the first ten games face trips to Aston Villa and Liverpool, as well as a home match against London rivals Chelsea.
Arsenal's Defensive Options
Saliba's absence will test Arsenal's squad depth, as the club seeks to defend their Premier League title. The Gunners have already seen Leandro Trossard depart for £17 million, and reports suggest a swap deal for Viktor Gyokeres and a priority move for Julian Alvarez are being considered. However, the immediate focus is on how Arteta will restructure his defence without his star centre-back.
