Arsenal are reportedly preparing for William Saliba to miss four or five months as the defender undergoes further examinations on his back injury.
Saliba was forced off after 30 minutes of France’s 2-0 World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain on Tuesday.
The centre-back had managed the recurring problem throughout the tournament. France adjusted his training programme between matches, but he was unable to continue after suffering further pain against Spain.
According to L’Équipe, as relayed by Get French Football News, Saliba will undergo additional medical assessments before a final decision is made.
Surgery is currently considered the most likely course of action. Arsenal are reportedly planning for a recovery period of between four and five months, which could keep him out until November or December.
Arsenal face major defensive problem
Saliba will not feature in France’s third-place play-off against England on Saturday.
A lengthy absence would rule him out of Arsenal’s Community Shield meeting with Manchester City and the opening months of their Premier League title defence.
Mikel Arteta would also be without his first-choice centre-back for the beginning of the Champions League campaign.
Cristhian Mosquera is the most natural replacement alongside Gabriel Magalhães. Piero Hincapié, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Ben White provide further defensive options.
As Read Arsenal reported after Saliba left the semi-final, the defender had already been struggling with back discomfort before the tournament and required a modified workload with France.
Nothing has been definitively decided before the examinations. However, the reported recovery estimate leaves Arsenal preparing to begin the season without one of Arteta’s most important players.
