Arsenal defender William Saliba has been managing a back injury and could require surgery after the World Cup, raising concerns over the defender’s availability for the start of next seasonArsenal have been handed a fresh update on William Saliba’s fitness(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Arsenal have received a concerning update on William Saliba’s injury, with reports suggesting the defender may require surgery.The Gunners star is said to have been managing a back problem for some time, sparking initial fears earlier this week that he could be ruled out of France’s World Cup campaign this summer.Saliba was instrumental in helping Arsenal clinch the Premier League title and featured for the full 120 minutes in the Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the weekend.It has since emerged that the back complaint could be more serious than first thought, with reports indicating that the French national team will keep a close eye on the centre-back’s fitness ahead of this summer’s tournament in North America.A fresh update has now surfaced on Saliba, which is likely to raise significant concerns at Arsenal heading into the new campaign.According to French outlet L’Equipe, Saliba may be forced to undergo surgery for his back problem, with any such procedure expected to take place after the World Cup, should it prove necessary.It remains unclear at this stage whether surgery will ultimately be required, with the defender reported to have been managing the issue throughout the closing weeks of Arsenal’s season.Should Saliba need an operation, it would cast serious doubt over whether the 25-year-old will be fit and available for the start of the Premier League season in August.Further reports on Tuesday suggested that Saliba is still expected to join up with his French team-mates at a training camp ahead of the trip across the Atlantic for this summer’s World Cup.France manager Didier Deschamps, however, moved to ease concerns surrounding Saliba when quizzed about the Arsenal defender’s fitness.William Saliba could undergo surgery after the World Cup, according to reportsJOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page”He’s here, everything is fine,” the France boss is quoted telling La Dépêche du Midi.Les Bleus are set to face Senegal on June 16 in New Jersey in their opening Group I fixture, and Saliba looks to be in a race against time to be fit for his nation’s first match…
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2026-06-02 11:01:35
