William Saliba Set for Extended Absence After Arsenal Confirm Back Injury

Arsenal have confirmed that defender William Saliba will be sidelined for an extended period after returning from World Cup duty with a back injury. The France international was substituted around the half-hour mark of France's World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain, and further assessment back in London has since confirmed the issue.

According to the club, surgery is not recommended, and Saliba will instead follow a managed rehabilitation programme as he works his way back to full fitness. No firm return date has been given.

The injury is a blow for Arsenal as they prepare to defend their Premier League title in 2026/27, though the club does have some options in central defense. Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori are both back in pre-season training, while Ben White has also returned after recovering from a knee injury sustained late last season. Jurrien Timber, however, remains out with a groin issue that also kept him out of the World Cup, and Saliba's usual defensive partner Gabriel Magalhaes is expected to rejoin the squad shortly.

With the new season kicking off on August 21 against newly promoted Coventry City, Arsenal's defensive depth will be tested early in the champions' title defense.