Arsenal have received an encouraging update on William Saliba after reports suggested the France defender may not require surgery on the chronic back problem that cut short his World Cup campaign.
Saliba was forced off just 30 minutes into France’s semi-final defeat to Spain after aggravating an injury that had troubled him for several months.
The 25-year-old has subsequently been ruled out of France’s third-place play-off against England, with Didier Deschamps confirming medical examinations showed no further damage had been caused by the setback.
That result has offered Arsenal renewed hope that the centre-back could recover without undergoing an operation.
Recent reports had suggested surgery was becoming an increasingly likely outcome, raising fears Saliba could miss several months at the start of the new campaign.
However, the latest update indicates that surgery is no longer the preferred course of action.
Instead, Arsenal’s medical staff are expected to discuss a comprehensive rehabilitation programme with their France counterparts before making a final decision early next week.
Saliba has been managing the back issue throughout much of 2026.
The defender admitted during the World Cup that he had been playing through persistent discomfort after helping Arsenal through the closing stages of the Premier League and Champions League campaigns before joining up with France.
France carefully managed his workload throughout the tournament by limiting his training between matches, but the problem eventually became too severe during the semi-final against Spain.
Despite the injury, Saliba remained one of France’s standout performers before his tournament came to a premature end.
His condition will now be closely monitored by Arsenal as Mikel Arteta prepares for the new season.
The Gunners are preparing to strengthen their defensive options this summer, but Saliba remains one of the first names on the teamsheet and one of the club’s most influential players.
Avoiding surgery would significantly improve Arsenal’s hopes of seeing the French international return sooner than initially feared, although the club are expected to prioritise a full recovery over rushing him back into action.
The coming days are therefore likely to be decisive.
Arsenal and the player will assess whether an extended rehabilitation programme can resolve the issue or whether surgery ultimately becomes unavoidable, with the club expected to take the option that offers the best long-term outcome for one of Europe’s premier central defenders.