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Arsenal face a crucial decision regarding William Saliba's persistent back injury following this summer's World Cup, according to a new report, with surgery that could sideline him for the beginning of next season remaining a real possibility.
In the days leading up to the tournament, doubts were raised over whether Saliba would even be well enough to travel to the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, though manager Didier Deschamps quickly dismissed those worries and went on to name Saliba in the starting lineup for Monday's warmup friendly against Northern Ireland.
While the immediate signs appear encouraging, L'Équipe reports that concerns over Saliba's long-term physical condition persist, especially among those in his inner circle, as the center back was spotted wincing during portions of team training sessions ahead of Monday's match.
For now, as has been the situation for some time, Saliba is anticipated to continue playing through the injury, though a structured treatment plan will be required once the World Cup concludes. Arsenal may look to maintain a cautious approach to managing the problem, but the possibility of surgical intervention has not been completely dismissed.
Should Saliba sustain any additional damage during this summer's World Cup, his return to Arsenal at the start of the new campaign could be significantly pushed back.
Saliba's Tricky History With Back Problems
At this stage, the full details of Saliba's current condition remain unclear, but Arsenal supporters will recall the back injury that sidelined the Frenchman back in March 2023.
Many fans pointed to Saliba's absence that year as a key factor in Arsenal's collapse in the Premier League title race, with the defender spending a total of three months on the treatment table.
Whether Saliba's present injury is connected to that problem from three years ago remains unknown, but there are understandable fears that this latest setback signals a deeper, ongoing issue that may ultimately require surgical attention.
If Saliba does require an operation following the World Cup, he would almost certainly be unavailable for the opening of the 2026–27 season, though recovery timelines can differ considerably depending on the nature and severity of the injury.
Arsenal's title defense is scheduled to begin on August 22, just over a month after the World Cup final on July 19. With France considered among the favorites heading into the tournament, Saliba will be hoping for a lengthy run this summer—potentially all the way to the final day.
Any surgery following that point could easily demand months of rehabilitation, meaning Saliba might not only miss the season opener but could realistically be unavailable until the latter part of 2026.
Fortunately for manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal boast solid defensive depth. Star center back Gabriel would likely be paired with Cristhian Mosquera in Saliba's absence, while Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapié and Jurriën Timber are all capable of filling in centrally.