Saliba injury casts shadow over Arsenal title defence
Arsenal begin the new Premier League season as defending champions, but their preparations are complicated by William Saliba’s back injury at the World Cup. The France centre-back was forced off after 30 minutes in the semi-final defeat by Spain and will be assessed by the Gunners medical team on his return to London. Surgery is among the options under consideration, and an operation could leave the 25-year-old facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with reports in France suggesting he could be unavailable for four months.
Saliba’s struggle and defensive concern
Saliba had already been carrying a back problem into the tournament and admitted earlier in the competition that he had been dealing with it for some time. “I’ve had some minor niggles for several months,” Saliba said. “I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth.” His partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes was central to Arsenal’s title win, with their clean sheets proving decisive last season, and the sight of him limping off will have concerned Mikel Arteta.
Covering options at centre-back
If Saliba is ruled out long term, Arsenal have alternatives in Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera. White is hopeful of being fit for the season opener after knee surgery, while Timber missed the World Cup with the Netherlands but returned from a long absence to appear off the bench in the Champions League final. The club could also enter the market for another centre-back should the assessment confirm a serious layoff.
Rice and Saka manage fitness through World Cup
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have been managing fitness issues of their own during the World Cup. Rice, 27, has dealt with a hamstring problem that required an injection late last year and was withdrawn at half-time in England’s 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway after a period of illness. Saka has carried an Achilles injury since March and called playing in the tournament a “gamble”, though England manager Thomas Tuchel said the winger is now “pain-free” and managed his game time by leaving him unused against Argentina in the semi-finals.
Both players are vital for club and country, and Arsenal played 63 matches in all competitions last season as Rice featured in 55. Rice will take the mandatory 21 days holiday once the World Cup ends, and Arteta will hope rest allows both men to join pre-season without delay. Should they not, the Gunners may look to bolster a squad already active in the transfer window.
Transfer activity and pre-season schedule
Arsenal have reached a verbal agreement with Club Brugge to sign attacker Christos Tzolis after selling winger Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for around £15m. The club would listen to offers for Gabriel Martinelli, whose central role for Brazil has shown his versatility beyond the left wing, and they are monitoring Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and hold long-term interest in Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers.
The Gunners still have eight squad members involved in the World Cup final weekend, with David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi in Spain’s final against Argentina and England’s Noni Madueke, Rice, Saka and Eberechi Eze in the bronze medal match against France. Arsenal’s first pre-season friendly is away to Girona on 1 August, offering a first look at the squad’s condition before the campaign opens.