Arsenal have been handed a significant fitness blow as William Saliba is set to undergo back surgery, which could keep him sidelined for four months or even longer. The defender had been managing a back problem since the end of last season but continued playing despite the discomfort.
Saliba was able to represent France at the World Cup, but his condition eventually prevented him from continuing during their semifinal defeat to Spain. He suffered an issue during the first half of the match and was forced to leave the pitch after being unable to carry on.
Saliba faces lengthy recovery period
The defender has managed the pain for an extended period, but surgery now appears unavoidable. According to L’Equipe, Saliba is almost certain to undergo an operation on his back, which will result in a significant period away from football while he completes his recovery.
The decision is intended to solve the problem properly and prevent the injury from becoming a recurring issue. Saliba will now focus on his rehabilitation process as he works towards returning to full fitness.
Saliba has been one of Arsenal’s most important players over recent seasons and has played a key role in the club’s success. His absence will be a major setback as the Gunners prepare to begin the defence of their league crown in around a month.
Arsenal prepares for a defensive challenge
Missing the start of the campaign will be disappointing for Saliba, especially after establishing himself as a crucial figure in Mikel Arteta’s team. The defender would have wanted to help Arsenal from the beginning of the season, but understands that proper treatment is necessary.
Arsenal will now have to manage without one of their most reliable defenders as they prepare for the challenges ahead. His recovery timeline will be closely monitored as the club hopes he can return as soon as possible.
For Saliba, the priority will be making a full recovery and ensuring the issue does not continue affecting his performances. A successful rehabilitation process will allow him to return stronger and continue contributing at the highest level for Arsenal.
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Longer.
The season hasn’t even kicked off, and as usual Arsenal already have a player out with a long term injury.
Fingers crossed regards Rice and Saka.
Soloution: John Stones could do the job, if Saliba is seriously injured.
Hope not. Awful.
I agree with you Websurfer, he showed in World Cup he still has it with some dominant performances. Arteta has obviously worked with him at City so knows what he can do.
One-year (renewable) contract for Stones as a stop-gap
Not sure Mosquera is yet ready for that role for such an extended period
I have seen people debating this as a viable option. Can you explain why you think this is a good idea?
My own view is that this makes little sense and I’m curious as to why some people are supporting it.
Because let’s say Saliba is out for a few months , you need someone who can do a job for you in the short term but because it’s the short term you don’t really want to be spending millions
So there happens to be an experienced defender available who won’t cost anything
He probably wouldn’t be interested anyways
“Doing a job” in this instance should mean someone you can trust to step in for several months. Stones is nowhere near Saliba level in one on one defending and has a history of injury issues himself. The only things he has going for him as a defender is that he has good ball playing skills and is experienced. That’s not good enough for a team trying to win the PL.
Dan,
Just to say, have you seen Stones injury record?.
Yeah I get that mate
But you wouldn’t be buying him to play every week
He’s someone to do a job when needed
Don’t forget Calafori, Mosquera, White and Hiccapiea can all partner Gabriel but it just gives you an experienced option say for a big game
You want to bring someone in who you can be confident about from week to week. Amongst those Arsenal players you have listed only Mosquera has played fairly regularly at RCB at a high enough level in the past couple of years. The rest would only be suitable as emergency options. Stones is arguably no better than Mosquera in one on one defending and has an iffy injury record. He is good on the ball and experienced but would be a risky option for a team that wants to win the PL.
White can play there as well
Yes think it’s a smart move as I only need it to be a short term solution
I mean Stones has literally been a mainstay of a multiple Premier League winning team for years. Sure the league has changed and he’s getting long in the tooth. But he’s on a free, and we have both EPL and cup games in that period. As a solution to help provide cover and a sub option with Mosquera/White I don’t hate it at all.
A mainstay you say. How many games has he played for MC in the past 2 seasons? People are advocating for a player who has a significant injury history in the past few seasons because he has played for MC; where he was already a bit part player partly because he couldn’t stay fit.
I don’t see this as a “smart move”. An older player (over 30) with such a history is a big gamble. This is not the type of transfer a team like Arsenal should be looking at if they are serious about winning major titles.
Yes, I understand your concerns, which is exactly why I said I don’t hate the idea of him *as a bit part player for us also* to help provide coverage. Not a key player – a fallback option. He brings deep experience, which is helpful in any team. Whether he would want to play that role is also a factor here though.
The club is also looking at the likes of Ezri Konsa and Maxence Lacroix, both £50-60m players. Lacroix literally covers for Saliba on the French national team. These would be the purchases you should be more concerned with I think.
I don’t agree with the idea of bringing in a player like this as a “fall back”. His injury record immediately makes him an unconvincing option. I also don’t agree with the perspective of “deep experience” particularly given the profile of this player. Arsenal have already won the PL and had the best defence in the PL for the last few seasons so this argument about his experience is unconvincing.
Adding a senior player with an iffy injury record to a team which already has injury problems is a recipe for major headaches throughout the season.
Dan,
I doubt that Stones would come to just play the odd game here or there. He’ll be wanting regular first team football I should imagine.
Also that’s probably the reason he has now left City as he was no longer going to be a regular.
yeah mate I wrote he probably wouldn’t be interested
It just shows how opinions can vary regarding quality – the same rule applying to almost any of the team
New season same shit.
Long term injuries.
Indecisive approach to the transfer window.
We need to rest these players or we are going to see a burnout by Christmas.
We need to strengthen the squad or once again we will see an ever growing injury list.
He’s not going to have an operation on his back, but will still be out for a few months.
Will be interesting to see how The Arsenal react. Will we go for another right footed CB, or make do with what we have ?