Saliba to miss extended period with back injury

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Arsenal defender William Saliba is expected to be unavailable for an “extended period” because of a back injury aggravated while he was on World Cup duty with France. Arsenal said the 25-year-old returned to London for specialist assessment after being forced off about half an hour into France’s semi-final defeat by Spain.

According to the report, Saliba had been dealing with the back problem for several weeks before the tournament and had carried it into France’s campaign. The club has determined that he does not require surgery, with a managed rehabilitation programme instead set to begin. The injury also kept him out of France’s bronze final defeat against England.

The setback is significant for Arsenal because Saliba was a central figure in their defence last season, making 50 appearances in all competitions. BBC Sport notes that his partnership with Gabriel was an important part of Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning campaign, which ended a 22-year wait, and the club also reached the Champions League final.

The timing creates an immediate selection issue for manager Mikel Arteta. Arsenal are due to face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August, before opening their Premier League title defence five days later at home to promoted Coventry City. The club has not given a firm return date, so the length of Saliba’s absence will depend on how he responds to the recovery plan.