When France's William Saliba limped off in the World Cup semi-final against Spain after only 30 minutes, few realised he had been playing in agony for months. The Arsenal centre-back later admitted he had been "gritting his teeth" through a back problem since March, carrying the injury through the climax of Arsenal's Premier League title win and their run to the Champions League final. Now, Arsenal face the prospect of losing their defensive linchpin for up to five months — and possibly needing surgery.
Saliba, 25, has been a key figure in Arsenal's resurgence. Last season he made 50 appearances in all competitions as the Gunners ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title and reached the Champions League final. The back issue, which sources describe as a fracture similar to one he suffered at the end of the 2022/23 season, has been a persistent problem. France manager Didier Deschamps revealed that Saliba had been playing in pain since March, and that during the semi-final the pain became "unbearable". Despite missing France's final group game against Norway, Saliba returned for the knockout stages before breaking down against Spain.
“Why William Saliba's back injury matters for Arsenal and his potential long layoff.”
The injury is not new. Saliba has a history of back problems, and the current issue is believed to be a fracture — the same type that sidelined him previously. Arsenal will assess him when he returns to London after the World Cup, with surgery among the options. An operation would likely require a long-term layoff; French media report a recovery period of around five months. That would mean Saliba missing the start of the 2026/27 Premier League season and potentially longer.
For UK readers, especially Arsenal supporters, this is a major concern. Arsenal have just won the league and reached a Champions League final, and their squad depth is being tested. Key players Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka also carried long-term injury concerns into the World Cup, while Piero Hincapie — a summer target — suffered muscle issues during Ecuador's campaign. Saliba's absence would leave a gap in central defence at a time when Arsenal are already active in the transfer market, having agreed a deal for Club Brugge's Christos Tzolis and pursuing Morgan Rogers. How Mikel Arteta copes without his star defender could define their title defence.
Q: How long will William Saliba be out? French media and Didier Deschamps have indicated a layoff of up to five months, though Arsenal have not confirmed a timeframe. Surgery would likely require a long recovery, meaning Saliba could miss the start of the 2026/27 season.
Q: What is the exact injury? Saliba has a fracture in his back, similar to an injury he suffered at the end of the 2022/23 season. He has been managing the pain since March, but it worsened during the World Cup semi-final against Spain.
Q: How will Arsenal cope without Saliba? Arsenal are already active in the transfer window, with deals for Christos Tzolis and a bid for Morgan Rogers. They may also look for a centre-back, though no specific defensive targets have been named. Existing defenders will need to step up.
What happens next: Saliba will return to London for assessment by Arsenal's medical staff. A decision on surgery is expected soon. Meanwhile, France play England in the World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday. Arsenal's season starts in August, and the club will need to decide whether to enter the transfer market for defensive reinforcements.
