Didier Deschamps confirmed William Saliba’s injury has not worsened, but revealed the Arsenal defender had been playing through pain since March.
Didier Deschamps has provided an update on William Saliba after the Arsenal defender was forced off during France’s World Cup semi-final loss to Spain.
Saliba began at the centre of France’s defence but lasted only 30 minutes before Maxence Lacroix was called on to replace him.
By the time Saliba left the pitch, France were already behind to Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty. They went on to lose 2-0, ending hopes of a third straight World Cup Final.
Ahead of France’s third-place play-off against England, Deschamps confirmed that scans had shown Saliba’s injury had not worsened.
He also revealed Saliba had been managing the issue since March, playing through pain until it became too much to continue.
“William Saliba’s injury. Obviously, it is problematic,” Deschamps said.
“Tests have been carried out. His injury has not got worse. Unfortunately for him, he has had it since March.
“So he managed it, he gritted his teeth and, at some point, it comes down to the ability to withstand the pain.
“And there, the pain, unfortunately for him and for us, had reached a level that was not bearable.”
While the scans offer some reassurance, Deschamps’ comments still leave Arsenal with a concern as the new season approaches.
Saliba has been carrying the issue for months, only reaching breaking point in one of France’s biggest games of the tournament.
Arsenal now face the task of managing the problem after a long, demanding campaign that stretched well into the summer.
Saliba remains a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s squad, central to the defensive structure that helped Arsenal lift the Premier League title.
His partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes gives Arsenal pace, strength and composure at the back. Saliba’s ability to defend big spaces is especially important for the high line Arteta prefers.
Arsenal have already seen how much his absence can disrupt the balance of the team. When Saliba suffered a back injury late in the 2022/23 season, the defence lost its stability during the title run-in.
Arsenal’s priority now will be to make sure Saliba recovers fully after the World Cup, rather than risk the problem dragging into another long domestic and European season.
Arsenal will now have to assess how much recovery time Saliba needs after the World Cup, with the defender having managed the problem through the closing months of the season and into the tournament.