Arsenal Defender William Saliba Faces Long Recovery
Much to the disappointment of fans, Arsenal defender William Saliba will be out for an extended period due to a back injury sustained during the recently concluded World Cup with France.
Saliba had been managing a chronic back issue for several months before the tournament. He faced criticism from the French national team manager Didier Deschamps but stepped up mentally, playing despite the pain. However, during France's semi-final loss to Spain in the World Cup, Saliba was forced off after just 30 minutes.
A specialist review revealed surgery is not required, and a focused recovery programme will be implemented instead. This means the defender has missed France’s bronze final defeat against England and now faces a long road to full fitness.
According to reporting by BBC Sport - FootballImpact on Arsenal's Plans
The timing of his injury is particularly disappointing for Arsenal, who have already started their new campaign. The Gunners will take on Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August. Moreover, Arsenal are tasked with defending their Premier League title after a hard-fought season where they clinched the 22-year wait for English top-flight supremacy.
Saliba's Own Words
Quoting from Saliba himself earlier in the World Cup: