William Saliba, Arsenal and France
Thursday after France’s semi-final defeat
Arsenal will assess William Saliba’s back injury when he returns from World Cup duty, with surgery among the possible options. The France centre-back had carried the issue for weeks before being forced off against Spain.
An operation would likely mean a long-term lay-off, making the decision significant for Arsenal’s new season. Saliba played 50 club games last season and admitted he had been gritting his teeth through several months of niggles.