Saliba injury fears cloud Arsenal's title defence as Arteta eyes transfer reinforcements

William Saliba was forced off after just 30 minutes of France's World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain, raising fears that Arsenal could be without their defensive lynchpin for up to four months. The 25-year-old centre-back, whose partnership with Gabriel Magalhães was a cornerstone of Arsenal's first Premier League title in 22 years, had been gritting his teeth through a persistent back problem. "I've had some minor niggles for several months," Saliba said earlier in the tournament. "I've been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you've got to grit your teeth." Now surgery is among the options being considered by Arsenal's medical team, with reports in France suggesting a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Saliba's setback is just one of several fitness concerns for manager Mikel Arteta as the new season looms just over a month away. Arsenal had 15 players at the World Cup, and eight remain involved ahead of this weekend's finals. David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi will face Argentina in Sunday's final, while England's Noni Madueke, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze take on France — and Arsenal's William Saliba, though his tournament is over — in Saturday's bronze match. The fitness of Rice and Saka has been widely debated throughout the tournament, while Ben White is hopeful of being fit for the start of the season after undergoing knee surgery. Jurrien Timber, who missed the World Cup with the Netherlands, is also expected to be available after returning from a long spell to appear in the Champions League final. If Saliba is ruled out long-term, Arteta can call on White, Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera as alternative options at centre-back. But the defending champions are not leaving their squad depth to chance. Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Christos Tzolis and are interested in Aston Villa duo Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa, while the club has also been linked with an audacious move for Julián Álvarez. With a medical reportedly booked for one target, Arteta appears determined to ensure the hangover from a long World Cup does not derail their title defence.