Arsenal have confirmed that William Saliba will be sidelined for an extended period after aggravating a back injury while representing France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 25-year-old central defender had reportedly been managing the injury for several weeks before the tournament, but the problem worsened during France’s semi-final defeat to Spain. Saliba was forced off after just 30 minutes and subsequently missed France’s third-place play-off against England.
Following further medical assessments in London, Arsenal confirmed that Saliba will not require surgery. Instead, he will undergo a carefully managed rehabilitation programme. However, the club did not provide a timeline for his return, stating only that he will be out for an “extended period.”
Saliba had previously admitted that he had been playing through pain for months due to the importance of Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League campaigns, as well as the World Cup.
His absence is a significant blow to manager Mikel Arteta, as Saliba was a key figure in Arsenal’s defence last season. The French international made 50 appearances across all competitions, helping the Gunners end their 22-year wait for the Premier League title and reach the UEFA Champions League final.
The defender is expected to miss Arsenal’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City on August 16, as well as the club’s opening Premier League fixture against newly promoted Coventry City. Arsenal have not disclosed an expected return date, and his recovery will continue to be monitored by the club’s medical team.