William Saliba opts for rehabilitation and avoids surgery
According to Sports.
Context
William Saliba, defender for Arsenal and the France national team, faced a back injury that worsened during the World Cup semi-final. His decision to opt for rehabilitation over surgery reflects his determination to return to the field despite the difficulties faced during the season. Saliba's health situation is a concern for both the club and the national team, considering his importance in future competitions.
Why this matters
William Saliba's decision to avoid surgery is crucial not only for his career but also for Arsenal, who depend on his presence at the back. The back injury that ruled him out of the World Cup could impact the team at a time when they are looking to stand out in national and international competitions. Prolonged recovery could affect team dynamics, especially with the season underway.
Main conclusions
- William Saliba opts for rehabilitation and avoids surgery.
- William Saliba decided to avoid surgery to treat his back injury and opted for prolonged treatment, with a return expected in several months after the problem that arose during the World Cup.
- William Saliba makes surgery decision - Yahoo Sports.
Arsenal defender William Saliba has made the decision not to undergo surgery to treat the back injury that has plagued him in recent months. After conversations with Arsenal's management, the player opted for prolonged rehabilitation treatment. According to information from L’Equipe, Saliba waited for this conversation with the club’s directors to make his final choice on how to deal with the injury that kept him out of the World Cup.
The French defender was worried that he might need an operation but decided to take a different path. Treatment and rest will be a crucial part of your recovery. There is still no exact timetable for his return, but the expectation is that he will be out of action for several months, depending on how his health progresses.
Saliba's injury worsened during the World Cup semi-final when he was injured without contact with another player, suffering severe pain in his lower back and being substituted after around half an hour of play. The 25-year-old defender revealed that he had been dealing with this problem for some time and that he had to "hang in there" due to the intense workload of the season, which included the Champions League and the English Championship. "The World Cup only happens every four years, so you need to have courage to face these challenges," declared Saliba.
Doubts over his fitness have already hung over his participation at the start of Arsenal's 2026-27 season, with reports prior to the competition suggesting surgery could be a real possibility. During the World Cup, France's coaching staff carefully managed Saliba's workload, sparing him from training and leaving him out of the final group match against Norway, while national team coach Didier Deschampsmentioned that the defender was not in his best shape.
After the semi-final, Deschamps confirmed the seriousness of the situation. "William Saliba was injured and that is problematic... He has been dealing with this injury since March... He had some pain and, unfortunately, the pain became unbearable," said the coach. Current estimates indicate that Saliba could be out for up to five months, which could delay his return to football until December. The decision to avoid surgery, according to L’Equipe’s latest report, leaves recovery time dependent on the response to treatment, meaning the defender must be closely monitored during this period.
It is worth mentioning that Saliba has already dealt with back problems since childhood, which makes this situation even more challenging for the athlete.
What happens next
Saliba will now focus on rehabilitation treatment, which could take several months. Arsenal and the France national team will be closely monitoring his recovery as his absence could influence game strategies. The defender, who was already dealing with discomfort before his injury, hopes to return in full shape to contribute to his team next season.