Arsenal Football Club announced that defender William Saliba will be sidelined for an extended period following a back injury sustained while representing France at the World Cup. The 25-year-old had been dealing with the back problem for several weeks prior to the tournament and continued to manage the issue while competing in the competition.
Saliba was withdrawn from the field after 30 minutes during France’s World Cup semi-final match against Spain. The injury subsequently kept him unavailable for France’s bronze medal match against England. Upon his return to London, the player underwent evaluation by a specialist, who determined that surgical intervention would not be necessary. Instead, Arsenal and the medical team have opted to implement a structured recovery program to manage his condition.
Before the tournament began, Saliba acknowledged he had been dealing with minor physical complaints for several months but chose to push through given the significance of the World Cup competition, which occurs only once every four years. He had featured prominently for Arsenal during the previous season, making 50 appearances across all competitions as the club secured the Premier League title after a 22-year gap and advanced to the Champions League final.
The timing of Saliba’s injury presents a challenge for Arsenal as the team prepares for the upcoming season. The club is scheduled to compete in the Community Shield against Manchester City, with that match set for 16 August, followed by the commencement of the Premier League title defense against promoted Coventry City five days later.
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