Arsenal opt against surgery as Saliba faces lengthy spell out with back injury

Arsenal defender William Saliba is set for a prolonged period on the sidelines after the club decided he will undergo conservative treatment rather than surgery on a back injury suffered at the 2026 World Cup.

The 25-year-old centre-back was forced off after around 30 minutes of France’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain, which ended 2-0, and was unable to continue because of severe back pain.

His withdrawal in such a high-stakes match immediately raised alarm at both Arsenal and the French Football Federation, with concerns growing about his fitness ahead of the new Premier League season.

Reports have suggested that Arsenal fear Saliba could be out of action for between four and five months, although the exact length of his absence will depend on how he responds to treatment.

Club and player agree on non-surgical route

According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Arsenal and Saliba have now reached an agreement on how to manage the injury, choosing a non-surgical, or conservative, approach over an operation.

The decision means Saliba will not go under the knife but will instead follow a long-term programme of rest, rehabilitation and specialised medical care aimed at easing what is described as chronic back pain.

Arsenal’s medical staff, in consultation with the player and external specialists, are understood to have weighed the potential risks and benefits of surgery against those of conservative management before opting for the latter.

While this route may avoid the complications and uncertainty that can accompany back surgery, it is still expected to keep the France international out for several months.

Major blow for Arsenal’s title ambitions

The prospect of being without Saliba for an extended period represents a significant setback for Arsenal as they prepare for the new campaign.

The Frenchman has established himself as a cornerstone of Mikel Arteta’s defence, and his presence was widely seen as fundamental to Arsenal’s recent title challenges.

Any absence stretching into the autumn or winter would force Arteta to reshuffle his back line and could prompt the club to reassess their plans in the transfer market as they look to maintain domestic and European ambitions.

Saliba’s injury also raises questions about depth in central defence, with Arsenal already heavily reliant on a small core of senior centre-backs in recent seasons.

Concern for France as well as club

For France, the timing is equally damaging. Saliba has become an increasingly important figure in the national team set-up, and his injury in the semi-final has come at a moment when the squad is evolving and key defensive roles are being redefined.

The French camp will monitor his rehabilitation closely, with upcoming international fixtures and future tournaments in mind.

As things stand, the precise date of his return remains uncertain and will depend on how quickly he progresses through the treatment and recovery phase.

What is clear is that both Arsenal and France are braced for a lengthy spell without one of their most influential defenders, in what is being viewed as a major blow for club and country.