FOOTBALL
Posted on July 23, 2026 6:00 pm | Updated on July 23, 2026 12:12 pm William Saliba’s injury decision leaves Arsenal facing a major defensive setback.
Full name: Arsenal Football Club Nickname: The Gunners Founded: October 1886 Stadium: Emirates Stadium Owner: Kroenke Sports and Entertainment Co-chairmen: Stan Kroenke, Josh Kroenke Manager: Mikel Arteta League: Premier League Season 2025/26: Champions Website: arsenal.com Arsenal football club is one… Read More about ARSENAL
Arsenal injury news has taken another serious turn after William Saliba reportedly decided against back surgery. The French defender now faces a long recovery that could delay his return for the start of the new Premier League season.
William Saliba chooses recovery over surgery
As reported by football.london, William Saliba has decided not to undergo surgery for the back problem that troubled him during the FIFA World Cup. Instead, the Arsenal defender is expected to follow a treatment and rehabilitation plan after discussing the next steps with the club’s medical staff. The injury forced him to miss France’s World Cup third-place match after he came off early in the semi-final against Spain.
The 25-year-old had managed the issue for several weeks before the tournament. France even rested him during the group stage against Norway to reduce the physical load before bringing him back for the knockout rounds. However, the pain returned during the semi-final, raising fresh concerns over his fitness ahead of Arsenal’s new campaign.
As reported by The Mirror, French manager Didier Deschamps later revealed that Saliba had been dealing with severe discomfort for months. He explained that the injury did not become worse during the tournament, but the pain eventually became too difficult for the defender to manage.
Saliba’s stats in the 2025-26 season,as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Tackles Interceptions Successful passes Duels Won%
Premier League 31 35 17 1,954 56.7%
FA Cup 2 1 0 99 75.0%
EFL Cup 5 11 1 353 62.2%
UCL 12 11 11 644 49.4%
Arsenal face a major defensive challenge
Saliba’s absence could become one of the biggest problems for Mikel Arteta before the new season starts. As reported by L’Equipe, the defender may stay out for months, leaving Arsenal without their top centre-back. The club is set to open its Premier League title defence at home against Coventry City, but Saliba now looks unlikely to play.
Saliba and Gabriel were a big part of why the Gunners played so well last season. Gabriel’s raw strength paired well with Saliba’s calm passing, and together they gave the team a strong base, both with the ball and without it. Saliba was also one of the most steady players at the club all year. His reading of the game, smart positioning, and fast recovery runs meant Arsenal rarely looked open, even when rivals tried to hit them on the break.
From a football point of view, replacing those traits will not be easy. If Saliba stays out for a long spell, Arsenal may need to change both their back-line shape and how they build play from deep.
Leadership debate grows as recovery continues
Saliba’s injury has brought back talk about his leadership role inside Arsenal’s team. As reported by football.london, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher called him one of Europe’s best central defenders. Still, Carragher argued that Gabriel is often the one who brings order to Arsenal’s back line. He believes Saliba already has all the skill needed to become a truly elite defender. Taking on more responsibility, though, could help him reach an even higher level.
Carragher compared this influence to leaders like Virgil van Dijk and former Arsenal captain Tony Adams. He said the very best defenders always make everyone around them better. This is one area where Saliba can keep growing once he returns to full fitness.
For now, Arsenal’s priority is ensuring the defender completes his recovery without rushing back too early. A careful rehabilitation programme could protect him from further setbacks and increase his chances of returning at full strength later in the season.
Also Read: Vinicius Jr given Real Madrid ultimatum as Arsenal wait
Also Read: Bradley Barcola told to delay Arsenal move despite exit talk
Read More: Illan Meslier to Arsenal? Fresh transfer move emerges
Follow the latest updates from Premier League, La Liga and Champions League, or explore more Football stories, Football Teams & All Football Competitions . Follow more updates on ARSENAL. You can also check Latest Sports News or visit Six Sports for more Football updates.
Deepanjali Bhardwaj
Deepanjali Bhardwaj is the Sports Editor at Six Sports, where she leads editorial coverage across cricket, football, and other major sporting events. She oversees newsroom operations, editorial planning, story development, and publishing standards while ensuring every article meets Six Sports' commitment to accuracy, transparency, and responsible journalism. She works closely with writers, editors, and contributors to deliver timely news, match reports, analysis, features, and explainers covering domestic and international competitions. Her editorial approach focuses on factual reporting, clear analysis, and reader-first journalism, helping audiences stay informed about the latest developments across the sporting world. As Sports Editor, Deepanjali plays a key role in maintaining the publication's editorial quality, consistency, and independence while guiding coverage of major leagues, tournaments, teams, and athletes.
Mentioned in this Article