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SportsArsenal confirm serious back injury for William Saliba; defender out for months
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Arsenal has officially confirmed that defender William Saliba suffered a serious back injury while playing for France in the 2026 World Cup during a match against Spain. The London club stated he will be unavailable for an extended period, with reports indicating no surgery is needed but a recovery time of several months. This news comes amid a turbulent period for Arsenal, which recently lost the Champions League final to PSG in a penalty shootout (1-1, 4-3 on penalties). Defender Gabriel missed a crucial penalty, leading to a surge in his jersey sales as fans showed support. Despite the final defeat, Arsenal celebrated their Premier League title with a parade in London attended by over a million people. The club, founded in 1886 and nicknamed the Gunners, has won 13 English league titles and is currently managed by Mikel Arteta.
Source report
William Saliba Suffers Serious Back Injury with France
Arsenal has officially confirmed that defender William Saliba sustained a significant back injury while on international duty with the French national team during the 2026 World Cup. The London club announced that Saliba will be unavailable "for an extended period."
According to reports, the injury occurred during the France-Spain match. While surgery will not be required, Saliba is expected to be sidelined for several months.
Champions League Final: PSG Retains Title in Dramatic Penalty Shootout
PSG achieved the unthinkable by retaining their European crown, defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a breathless final in Budapest.
Key Moments and Reactions
- Gabriel's Missed Penalty: Arsenal defender Gabriel saw his decisive penalty saved, handing PSG a second consecutive Champions League title. Gabriel later described the experience as "painful," saying, "It's painful."
- Marquinhos' Classy Gesture: PSG captain Marquinhos was seen comforting the devastated Arsenal defender immediately after the miss.
- Raya's Trauma: Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya admitted he was "devastated" after the defeat, stating, "When I got home, I was devastated."
- Dugarry's Criticism: Former French international Christophe Dugarry slammed Arsenal's performance, saying, "Serves them right," and describing the Gunners as "empty barrels" who "didn't create anything" in the final.
- PSG's Celebration: Parisian players celebrated their triumph wearing ski masks, known as "goggles," sparking curiosity about the meaning behind the accessories.
Arsenal's Parade and Fan Response
Despite the Champions League final defeat, Arsenal organized a parade in London to celebrate their Premier League title. Over one million people reportedly took to the streets, with dramatic images capturing the massive turnout.
English Clubs Tease Arsenal
Following the final loss, several English clubs—including Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace—took the opportunity to tease Arsenal over their defeat.
Gabriel's Jersey Sales Surge
In an unusual twist, sales of Gabriel's jersey exploded after his missed penalty in the final.
Premier League: Rayan Cherki Among Player of the Season Nominees
Arsenal's Rayan Cherki has been named among six nominees for the Premier League Player of the Season award.
Source
Home Football - actualitésWestern
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William Saliba's Back Injury Concerns Ahead of 2026 World Cup