William Saliba is set to miss an extended spell for Arsenal because of a back injury. The club says he will begin a managed rehabilitation programme, with specialists deciding that surgery is not required.
The issue affected Saliba during France’s run to the World Cup semi-final, where he was forced off after around 30 minutes against Spain. He then missed France’s third-place match against England.
For Arsenal, the concern is not only the absence of a key centre-back but also the lack of a defined return date. The club’s update points to careful ongoing management rather than a quick fix, leaving Mikel Arteta’s defensive planning under immediate scrutiny.
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice also dealt with fitness concerns during the tournament, although both were available for the third-place game. Saliba’s situation appears more serious for now, and Arsenal will need to balance patience in his recovery with the demands of a new campaign.
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