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France head coach Didier Deschamps has put supporters' minds at ease, confirming that the national side's first-choice center back William Saliba "is fine" and "would have played" straight away had the situation demanded it, following an injury scare.
Alarm bells began ringing early in the week when reports emerged suggesting Saliba had worsened a pre-existing back problem during Arsenal's Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain. One outlet even went so far as to label Saliba as "very doubtful" to participate in the World Cup at all.
Deschamps swiftly put those worries to rest when speaking to reporters ahead of France's friendly against Côte d'Ivoire on Thursday. "William is fine and will be managed," the characteristically direct coach said dismissively. "If he had needed to play tomorrow, he would have played.
"I will manage the six players involved in the Champions League, even more so those who started, given what lies ahead."
While this comes as welcome news for Les Bleus supporters, it will offer little comfort to those following the club from north London.
What Does Saliba's Injury Recovery Mean for Arsenal?
The most revealing word from Deschamps's brief Saliba update was the one he used twice: "manage." However "fine" the center back may be, the credible sources reporting discomfort in his back didn't fabricate those concerns from nothing.
Dealing with knocks, strains and minor complaints is simply part of life as a modern footballer. Saliba knows this better than most, having pushed through the pain to feature consistently during Arsenal's run-in despite ongoing ankle and muscular problems. The demands of the weeks ahead may well force Saliba to push his body to its limits once again.
Saliba was just 17 when France lifted the 2018 World Cup and had yet to cement himself as a starter during the run to the final four years later. His only appearance in Qatar was a 27-minute substitute outing in a group-stage loss to Tunisia. Now widely regarded as arguably the finest center back in world football, the 25-year-old looks set to enjoy his most influential World Cup yet.
Mikel Arteta will have concerns about all his players heading into this summer's tournament, but his worry will be amplified when it comes to a player already carrying an existing issue. Should Saliba require surgery following the competition — a possibility cautiously raised by The Athletic — it would almost certainly rule him out of the opening stages of Arsenal's Premier League title defense.
Despite all the recognition Gabriel receives, Saliba remains Arsenal's most indispensable defender. The club learned this lesson the hard way when he last suffered a back injury, sitting out the final three months of the 2022–23 season. The Gunners held a five-point lead over Manchester City when Saliba headed to the treatment room. By the time the season concluded, City had claimed the title by exactly five points.
What Is Mikel Arteta's Stance on International Call-Ups?
Saliba was among 10 Arsenal players to withdraw from international duty during March's break, prompting comparisons between Arteta and former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, whose notorious reluctance to release players for international duty became the stuff of legend.
However, the former midfielder — who never earned a senior cap for Spain himself — pledged not to obstruct any player's international ambitions. "When you are fit and available to play for the national team, you have to play," he stated earlier this year.
"It makes us so proud that we had that many players in the national team. Players are desperate to play for their nation. I know how important it is to them. We are fully supportive of that and when we can do it, we do it."
Arsenal have 16 players heading to this summer's World Cup, a remarkable number that only Manchester City can surpass among Premier League clubs. Saliba will certainly not be the last player giving Arteta cause for concern.