Arsenal is set to evaluate William Saliba’s back injury upon his return to the club following his World Cup duties. The France centre-back has been dealing with a persistent back issue for several weeks, which he carried into the tournament. This problem appeared to worsen during France’s semi-final match against Spain, where he was substituted after only 30 minutes.
Surgery is among the potential options that Arsenal will consider once Saliba is back in London. An operation of this nature would likely necessitate a prolonged recovery period. The player, who is 25 years old, featured in matches across all competitions for Arsenal last season, a period during which the club secured the Premier League title, ending a 22-year wait, and reached the Champions League final.
Earlier in the World Cup, Saliba had commented on his condition, stating he had experienced minor discomfort for several months. He mentioned pushing through the pain due to the importance of the Champions League and Premier League, and the infrequent nature of the World Cup, which occurs only once every four years. He missed France’s final group stage game against Norway before rejoining Didier Deschamps’ squad for the knockout phase. France is scheduled to play England in the third-place play-off on Saturday at 22:00 BST.
Saliba’s Condition and Potential Absence
Reports indicate that Saliba’s back issue, specifically a debilitating lower back and sciatic nerve problem, has been managed with pain-relief injections in recent months. During the match against Spain, he reportedly could no longer continue, suggesting that surgery is now a strong possibility. If he undergoes surgery for his lower discs, he could be sidelined for up to 4 months, potentially missing the start of the season and possibly not returning until around Christmas.
The club’s medical staff had been closely monitoring Saliba’s back condition. There were suggestions that he was not training at all during the tournament, only participating in games. His departure from the semi-final match against Spain, where he reportedly expressed being unable to bear the pain, highlights the severity of the issue.
Potential Replacements and Transfer Speculation
Given the potential for a lengthy absence, Arsenal has been exploring options to cover for Saliba. Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has been linked as a potential target, capable of playing both right-back and centre-half, and could provide cover for both Saliba and Jurrien Timber, potentially replacing Ben White.
Another name being considered is John Stones, a defender who has played for Manchester City. Stones has made appearances for Manchester City, winning league titles. He has also featured for England during the current World Cup. Despite concerns about his fitness, having played more than 30 league games for City only once in the last five years and making league appearances in the last three years, he is seen as a potential short-term replacement for Saliba.
Stones, who is 32 years old, is reportedly available on a free transfer. While he would likely command substantial wages, the financial aspect of the deal is considered feasible. Offering him a two-year contract to play for a title-challenging team could make Arsenal an attractive option. This move could also allow for the continued development of Cristhian Mosquera, a 22-year-old talent, without the pressure of playing twice a week. The idea is that Stones could play in roughly half of the games before Christmas, with Mosquera playing the other half, until Saliba’s return.
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Source: bbc.com
