Overview
- Saliba left France’s World Cup semi-final with a lower-back injury after struggling with pain that coach Didier Deschamps said dated back to March and became unbearable.
- French reports say surgery is being considered for a suspected back fracture and suggest a recovery window of up to around five months, but those timelines are not confirmed.
- Arsenal have not given an official return date and say they will assess Saliba when he returns to the club before deciding on treatment.
- A multi-month absence for Saliba would force Arsenal to adjust tactics, promote or sign defensive cover and rethink transfer priorities ahead of the Premier League season.
- The problem follows a similar lumbar issue Saliba had in 2023 and comes after a heavy 2025–26 schedule that left several Arsenal players managing niggles, increasing concern about workload and long-term fitness.