Reports that William Saliba is suffering from a back problem that could see him miss this summer’s World Cup seem to come as a surprise to Didier Deschamps.
Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Gabriel, Viktor Gyokeres and William Saliba of Arsenal look on as they wait for penalties during the UEFA Champions League Final 2026 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Puskas Arena on May 30, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary.
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
On Monday afternoon, websites were abuzz with the ‘news’ that William Saliba has been suffering with a back problem for the past few weeks and, as a result, his World Cup was at risk.
That will come as something of a surprise to Arsenal fans who have watched him perform at his imperious best during that time, including 120 minutes on Saturday in Budapest.
I first noticed the story on the ESPN website where they said that ‘sources’ had told them Saliba would undergo scans on Monday and that the “fear is that he will need a lengthy time to rest and for treatment, and will miss the World Cup with France.”
William Saliba of Arsenal and Alexander Sorloth of Atletico de Madrid challenge for the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on May 05, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Speaking to the media, Didier Deschamps was asked about these reports, which seem to have stemmed from Foot Mercato. “He’s here,” Deschamps said. “Everything is fine.”
Saliba does, of course, have a history with back problems. There is a good case to be made that the one he suffered in the final months of the 22/23 season derailed Arsenal’s unexpected title challenge, so to have another back problem rob him of a World Cup would be doubly cruel.
Thankfully, that doesn’t seem to be the case at all.
Metro add in their report, “Saliba did undergo tests on his fitness on Monday, with the medical staff still waiting on results and whether he is 100 per cent fit or not is unclear, despite his manager sounding confident,” however all players undergo tests when they arrive.
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