Arsenal defender William Saliba is expected to miss several months, although the club has decided against surgery for his back issue.
The 25‑year‑old has been a key figure for Arsenal in recent seasons, contributing to their Premier League triumph last year and their run to the Champions League final.
He also impressed for France during the summer tournament, playing a part in their semi‑final appearance at the World Cup before leaving the match against Spain due to sudden back pain.
According to L’Equipe, Arsenal and Saliba have opted not to pursue surgery, but the underlying issue persists and is likely to sideline him at the beginning of the 2026/27 campaign.
At present, further details are scarce, with Saliba simply described as being out for a number of months.
Arsenal Must Respond to William Saliba Injury Setback
Arsenal will likely need to act in the transfer market to find a suitable replacement for Saliba, whose absence will be deeply felt.
Saliba ranks among the top centre‑backs globally, and while options such as Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori can partner Gabriel Magalhães, the drop in quality would be noticeable.
Arsenal have intensified their hunt for a Saliba successor, with Ezri Konsa among the players linked to the club.
Regardless of whom Arsenal sign, they cannot rely solely on the existing squad to cover for Saliba unless his recovery proves quicker than anticipated.
More clarity on his timeline is expected soon, allowing Arsenal to finalise their plans and act appropriately.
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