Arsenal defender William Saliba has reportedly decided against undergoing surgery on the chronic back problem that has troubled him for several months.
According to L’Equipe, the France international reached the decision after discussions with Arsenal’s medical staff and club officials following the conclusion of the World Cup.
Saliba had been managing the issue since around March and followed an adapted training programme throughout the tournament in a bid to remain available for Didier Deschamps’ side.
The problem finally caught up with the 25-year-old during France’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain.
Unable to continue because of the pain, Saliba was substituted after just 30 minutes in a significant blow to Les Bleus, who were eliminated by the eventual world champions.
Initial reports suggested surgery was a genuine possibility, with fears that such a procedure could keep the Arsenal defender out for several months.
However, further consultations have led Saliba to pursue a conservative rehabilitation programme instead.
The recovery will reportedly consist of an extended period of rest and treatment rather than an operation, although no definitive timetable has been established.
His return will depend on how well he responds to rehabilitation over the coming months.
Saliba has become one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s teamsheet since establishing himself as Arsenal’s defensive leader.
His partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes has been central to the Gunners’ recent success, helping the club build one of the Premier League’s strongest defensive records on the way to last season’s league title.
The defender himself admitted during the World Cup that he had not been “100 per cent” because of the persistent back discomfort, but continued playing through the pain for both club and country.
Arsenal are expected to take a cautious approach with one of their most valuable players.
Avoiding surgery offers hope that Saliba can make a full recovery without a more invasive procedure, although the club are unlikely to rush him back given the long-term nature of the issue.
An official update from Arsenal is still awaited, but the latest reports suggest rehabilitation, rather than surgery, is now viewed as the best path forward.
For both Saliba and Arsenal, the priority will be ensuring the defender returns only when he is completely free of the back problem that has affected him for much of 2026.