Saliba facing ‘months out’ as Arsenal opt against surgery after World Cup injury

Arsenal defender William Saliba is expected to miss several months of action after the club and player agreed to pursue conservative treatment, rather than surgery, on the back injury he suffered at the 2026 World Cup.

The 25-year-old centre-back was forced off after around 30 minutes of France’s semi-final against Spain, a match Les Bleus went on to lose 2-0. Saliba was unable to continue due to severe back pain, immediately raising alarm over his fitness ahead of the new Premier League season.

According to reports in France, Arsenal fear their key defender could be sidelined for between four and five months, in what would be a major setback both for the London club and for the French national team.

The French sports daily L’Equipe reported on Wednesday that Arsenal and Saliba have reached an agreement on how to manage the injury, opting for a non-surgical route in an attempt to resolve his long-standing back problems.

Arsenal and Saliba choose conservative treatment

Rather than sending Saliba for an operation, Arsenal’s medical staff and the player have decided on a conservative rehabilitation plan focused on rest, physiotherapy and targeted conditioning.

L’Equipe says the club and the France international have “chosen conservative treatment instead of surgery”, a path that they hope will ease the chronic back pain that has troubled the defender.

Saliba, who has become one of Arsenal’s most important players under Mikel Arteta, will now enter a prolonged period of rest and recovery. The club hopes this approach will not only address the current injury but also reduce the risk of recurring back issues later in his career.

Length of absence still unclear

Although early estimates suggest an absence of four to five months, the exact timeframe remains uncertain and will depend on how Saliba responds to the treatment programme over the coming weeks.

The rehabilitation process is expected to be lengthy, with Arsenal reluctant to rush the defender back into competitive action. Any setback in his recovery could extend his spell on the sidelines well into the season.

The injury is being viewed inside the club as a significant blow, given Saliba’s central role in Arsenal’s defence and their ambitions in both domestic and European competitions.

Blow for France and Arsenal

For France, the loss of Saliba in the World Cup semi-final proved costly on the night, with Didier Deschamps’ side struggling to contain Spain after his early withdrawal.

Looking ahead, the defender’s absence is likely to have an impact on upcoming international fixtures, with Saliba now facing the prospect of missing several France camps while he recovers.

For Arsenal, his injury leaves a substantial gap in central defence. Saliba has been pivotal in transforming the team’s back line, forming the backbone of a side that has been competing at the top end of the Premier League.

With the new season approaching, the club may now be forced to reassess its defensive options in the transfer market or lean more heavily on existing squad members to cover for the Frenchman during his recovery spell.

While the non-surgical route offers hope of a full resolution to his back issues, it also brings uncertainty. Both Arsenal and France will be watching closely in the coming months, aware that their defensive stability heavily depends on Saliba’s successful return to full fitness.