Arsenal’s Saliba Faces Long-Term Absence After Back Surgery

William Saliba, the Arsenal defender and World Cup semi-finalist, will be out of action until 2027 after undergoing back surgery. Both L’Équipe and The Athletic have confirmed the news, revealing that Saliba was already struggling with back pain during the semi-final match against Spain, which forced an early substitution.

French journalist Julien Laurens shared that Saliba admitted his back condition had worsened to the point where it was completely damaged. Reports suggest he had been managing intense pain with strong medication before deciding on surgery.

The operation is expected to keep him off the pitch for about four to five months. This timeline means Saliba probably won’t feature for Arsenal again until sometime next year.

Kevin C. Cox captured images of Saliba in 2026, moments before the injury news broke. Fans and teammates alike will hope for a smooth recovery, given the defender’s importance to both club and country.