William Saliba consulted with the Arsenal medical staff, with both player and club agreeing on the best way forward.
Arsenal have received a significant update on William Saliba’s fitness after it was confirmed the defender has decided against undergoing surgery on the back injury he suffered during the FIFA World Cup.
According to L’Équipe, William Saliba consulted with Arsenal’s medical staff before making the final decision, with both player and club opting for a conservative rehabilitation programme rather than an operation.
The France international was forced off after just 30 minutes of his side’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain earlier this month after aggravating a long-standing back problem that had troubled him throughout the tournament.
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While avoiding surgery is positive news in the long term, the report states that Saliba will now begin an extended period of treatment and rehabilitation, with his recovery expected to take several months.
L’Équipe adds that no definitive timeframe has been placed on his return, with Arsenal expected to monitor his progress closely and base his comeback entirely on how he responds to treatment.
The update represents a mixed outcome for Mikel Arteta. Surgery has been avoided, reducing the long-term risks associated with the injury, but Arsenal will still be without one of the world’s best centre-backs for a significant period.
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Saliba has become one of the most important players in Arteta’s side since establishing himself as a first-team regular, forming one of the Premier League’s strongest defensive partnerships and playing a crucial role in Arsenal’s title-winning campaign last season.
His expected absence could now influence Arsenal’s transfer plans before the window closes, with the club already linked with central defenders including Ezri Konsa, John Stones and Real Sociedad youngster Jon Martín in recent weeks.
Arsenal’s medical staff will now focus on managing Saliba’s rehabilitation carefully, prioritising a full recovery over rushing the defender back into action.
Although the decision to avoid surgery offers hope that the injury can be resolved without an operation, the immediate outlook remains challenging.
With L’Équipe reporting that Saliba faces several months on the sidelines, Arsenal will have to begin the new season without one of their defensive leaders while Arteta looks for solutions to cope with the loss of a player widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in world football.
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William Saliba