WILLIAM SALIBA is reportedly facing up to FIVE MONTHS on the sidelines following a devastating back injury suffered while on World Cup duty.
The Arsenal ace collapsed to the pitch in agony in the first half of France‘s semi-final exit to Spain on Tuesday.
William Saliba suffered a back injury in France’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain Credit: GETTY
The Arsenal defender collapsed to the pitch in the first half of the match Credit: AFP
Saliba, 25, has been dealing with persistent and painful back issues for several months.
The centre-back is said to have told defensive partner Dayot Upamecano: “I can’t take it any more, my back is finished.”
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And now it’s being claimed he’ll potentially miss the first THREE MONTHS of the 2026/27 season.
That’s according to L’Equipe, who claim the defender could be sidelined for between “four to five months” after having surgery.
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Saliba has yet to break his silence on his injury, which, before the tournament, he admitted he was battling with.
He said: “I’ve had some minor niggles for several months.
“I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League.
“But the coaching staff are handling it very well.
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William Saliba is reportedly set to go under the knife Credit: GETTY
The 25-year-old could be on the sidelines for FIVE months Credit: GETTY
“The World Cup comes around only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth.
“I’m not at 100 percent, but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100 per cent either.
“You can’t make excuses.”
The news will come as a huge blow to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta who relied on his side’s defensive stability to drive them to Premier League glory last season.
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Arsenal kick off their defence of the title on August 21, welcoming new boys Coventy to the Emirates.
And Arteta could also be without a number of other star names for that clash.
Declan Rice is dealing with his own back issue at the World Cup.
While England team-mate Bukayo Saka couldn’t play any part in the semi-final defeat to Argentina after dealing with his own issues.
While fellow Three Lions pair Noni Madueke and Eberchi Eze and Spain trio David Raya, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino will all not return to training until the eve of the new campaign after this weekend’s third-place play-off and final.
