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Saliba out for rehab
Arsenal confirmed that William Saliba will miss an "extended period" after returning from World Cup duty with a back injury that will require a period of rehabilitation.
“William Saliba has returned to us from World Cup duty”
In Arsenal’s statement, the club said "Extensive assessments have concluded that surgery is not recommended," and added that Saliba should commence a managed recovery programme.
The injury forced Saliba off in the 30th minute of France’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain, and he then sat out the third-place playoff against England.
The Guardian reported that Saliba was forced off after just 30 minutes of France’s last-four defeat by Spain, and that he will not require an operation but is set for a significant spell on the sidelines.
World Cup pain and quotes
Saliba had been nursing the back problem during France’s run to the World Cup semi-final, and the Guardian said he was forced off after just 30 minutes of France’s last-four defeat by Spain.
After France’s loss to Spain, Saliba sat out the third-place playoff against England, and the Guardian noted that he had admitted: "I’ve had some minor niggles for several months."
In the same Guardian report, Saliba added: "I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League."
The Guardian also said Arsenal’s England duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice battled injury problems throughout the tournament, while both were fit enough to star in the third-place decider, with Rice getting the first goal and Saka scoring a hat-trick.
Arsenal’s next steps
With Saliba ruled out for an extended period, Arsenal’s Premier League title defence begins against Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium on August 21, and the club will have to plan without their centre-back.
“Saliba was substituted in the 30th minute”
Sky Sports said Saliba was substituted in the 30th minute of France’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain, and it quoted Arsenal’s statement that he is expected to be out of action for an extended period.
Sky Sports also pointed to Ben White returning to pre-season training after his knee injury sustained in May, while Jurrien Timber remained rehabilitating from a groin injury that kept him out of the World Cup.
FotMob said Arsenal have confirmed he will endure a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and it noted that Arsenal’s Premier League campaign opens at home to newly promoted Coventry City on August 21, with the Community Shield against Manchester City five days earlier.