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Arsenal issue William Saliba injury update and reveal decision over surgery
Jul 22 2026 20:48 · By Chris Davie · 8 Reads
William Saliba was forced off during France’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain (AFP via Getty)
Arsenal have announced that William Saliba will not undergo surgery on his back injury but have confirmed that the centre-back will be sidelined ‘for an extended period’.
Saliba was forced off with his back injury during the first half of France’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain last Tuesday.
The 25-year-old revealed during the World Cup that he had been playing with a back problem ‘for several months’ during Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning campaign.
Arsenal had considered the option of surgery but the Premier League champions have now opted for Saliba to undergo ‘a period of rehabilitation’.
A statement from Arsenal on Wednesday evening read: ‘William Saliba has returned to us from World Cup duty, where he played an integral role in France reaching the semi-finals of the competition.
‘Subsequent specialist reviews on William’s return to London this week have confirmed that he has suffered a back injury which will require a period of rehabilitation.