Arsenal have received some good news regarding William Saliba, but there is still enough uncertainty surrounding the defender to create an uncomfortable problem for Mikel Arteta ahead of the new Premier League season.
The club has confirmed that Saliba will not require surgery after suffering a back injury while representing France at the World Cup. That removes one of the worst possible scenarios, although Arsenal have also acknowledged that their starting centre-back faces an extended rehabilitation period.
No specific return date has been announced.
That uncertainty matters because Saliba has become one of the pillars of Arsenal’s success alongside Gabriel. With the Gunners preparing to defend their Premier League crown while once again targeting the Champions League, losing such an important defender for the beginning of the campaign could force the club back into the transfer market.
And one particularly interesting name has started circulating: John Stones.
The experienced England international is available as a free agent, making him a potentially attractive short-term solution for a club that suddenly needs additional defensive insurance.
Concerns surrounding Saliba intensified after he was forced out of France’s World Cup semi-final defeat against Spain.
The problem is particularly worrying because of his history with back injuries. Saliba suffered a similar issue during the closing stages of the 2022/23 campaign, and his absence had a significant effect on Arsenal during that season’s title race.
There were initially fears that the latest setback could require an operation and potentially keep him unavailable for several months. Specialist examinations conducted after his return to London have produced a more encouraging diagnosis.
Arsenal’s medical staff determined that rehabilitation rather than surgery is the appropriate treatment.
However, avoiding an operation does not necessarily mean Saliba will return quickly. The club has described his expected absence as an “extended period” and will manage the recovery carefully rather than rushing him back into competitive football.
There had already been warning signs before the tournament.
Saliba admitted that he had been dealing with physical discomfort for months but continued playing through it as Arsenal chased major trophies. France manager Didier Deschamps later revealed that the pain eventually became unbearable during the World Cup.
For Arsenal, protecting the 25-year-old’s long-term fitness now becomes more important than getting him back for one particular fixture.
The problem is that the schedule will not wait.
Arteta’s team have difficult early-season matches against Aston Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea as they attempt to become only the second club in the past decade to successfully retain the Premier League title.
