Saliba to miss extended period with back injury

What the report says

Nile Post, citing BBC Sport, reports that Arsenal defender William Saliba is expected to be unavailable for an extended spell because of a back injury sustained while on World Cup duty with France. The report says the 25-year-old had already been dealing with the problem for several weeks before the tournament and was substituted after about half an hour during France’s semi-final defeat to Spain.

According to the report, Saliba returned to London for specialist assessment after the injury worsened. Arsenal have confirmed that surgery is not required, with the centre-back instead set to follow a managed rehabilitation programme. He subsequently missed France’s bronze final loss to England.

The setback is significant for Arsenal because Saliba’s central defensive partnership with Gabriel was described as a major factor in the club’s Premier League title-winning campaign last season. He made 50 appearances in all competitions as Mikel Arteta’s side ended a 22-year wait for the league championship and also reached the Champions League final.

The timing creates an early-season concern for Arsenal, who are due to face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August, before opening their Premier League title defence at home to promoted Coventry City five days later. The report does not give a precise recovery timetable, but Arsenal’s wording indicates Saliba could miss more than just the immediate fixtures.