Arsenal Hold Their Breath as Saliba Injury Scare Threatens to Derail Crucial Campaign

Arsenal center-back William Saliba has pulled out of France's upcoming World Cup preparation matches against Brazil and Colombia in the United States due to an ankle problem.

Saliba played the entire match in Sunday's Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City—crushing Arsenal's hopes of achieving a historic Quadruple—but the French Football Federation announced on Monday morning that he is "experiencing persistent discomfort" in his left ankle.

Although he featured at Wembley, Saliba has been managing an ankle injury and had already been sidelined from Arsenal's fixtures against Mansfield Town in the FA Cup and Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League earlier this month.

The recommended treatment plan for the central defender involves rest and rehabilitation for at least 10 days, which is vital given his importance to Arsenal's ambitions of securing up to three remaining trophies in the 2025–26 campaign.

Crystal Palace center-back Maxence Lacriox has received his first France squad invitation to replace Saliba and will join the national team immediately at their Clairefontaine training facility. After the full squad assembles, France will depart for the United States.

The first fixture against Brazil is scheduled for Thursday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, followed by the Colombia encounter in Landover, Maryland, three days later on Sunday. Les Bleus aim to secure victories in both games, potentially strengthening their position as frontrunners to claim a second World Cup title in eight years.

Will Saliba be Fit for Crucial Arsenal Matches?

This seems to be more of a precautionary measure rather than a serious long-term injury concern.

Saliba's recovery period is expected to conclude at the beginning of April. Arsenal's medical team will likely monitor his progress closely during those 10 days, with the Gunners' next fixture being an FA Cup quarterfinal away match against Southampton on April 4.

Playing against lower-division opposition could prove beneficial. Arsenal have faced only Championship or League One teams in the FA Cup this season, and Saliba has made just one 61-minute appearance in the tournament.

The North London club should possess enough quality to overcome Southampton, who currently sit sixth in the Championship after overtaking Wrexham in the playoff positions, even without some key players.

The more demanding fixture—and potentially more significant considering this season offers Arsenal a genuine opportunity to finally succeed in Europe—arrives three days later when they visit Lisbon for the Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Sporting CP.

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