Arsenal to assess William Saliba's back injury, surgery an option

Published Jul 16, 10:00 PM UTC

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Arsenal will assess William Saliba's back injury when he returns from World Cup duty, with surgery being considered as a potential treatment option. The 25-year-old France centre-back has been struggling with a back issue for several weeks, which worsened during France's semi-final loss to Spain when he was forced off after 30 minutes. Saliba admitted he had been 'gritting his teeth' through the pain during the Premier League and Champions League campaigns. He missed France's final group game against Norway but returned for the knockout stage. An operation would likely require a long-term lay-off. Saliba made 50 appearances last season as Arsenal won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final. France will play England in the third-place play-off on Saturday.

Source report

Image caption: William Saliba was forced off during France's semi-final defeat by Spain

By Sami Mokbel, Senior football correspondent

Arsenal will assess William Saliba's back injury when he reports back to the club after World Cup duty.

The France centre-back has been troubled by a back issue for several weeks and carried the problem into the World Cup. The issue appeared to worsen during France's semi-final loss to Spain, when he was forced off after just 30 minutes.

Surgery is among the options that will be considered by the Gunners when he returns to London, though an operation would likely require a long-term lay-off to recover.

The 25-year-old made 50 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal last season, as they ended a 22-year wait to win the Premier League and reached the Champions League final.

Earlier in the World Cup, Saliba said: "I've had some minor niggles for several months. I've been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you've got to grit your teeth."

He missed France's final group game against Norway before returning to Didier Deschamps' side for the knockout stage.

France play England in the third-place play-off on Saturday (22:00 BST).

Source

BBC SportWestern

Original headline: Arsenal to assess Saliba back injury with surgery an option

Original language: EN-GB

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