Key Takeaways:
- William Saliba will not undergo an operation for his chronic back pain
- The Arsenal centre-back’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended early during France’s semi-final defeat by Spain
- Saliba is expected to be out of action for several months, with no definitive return date established
Arsenal and Saliba Decide Against Surgery
Arsenal defender William Saliba, aged 25, has chosen not to have surgery to address his persistent back pain, as detailed in a report by L’Equipe. The France international, who recently saw his 2026 World Cup participation cut short after Les Bleus fell 2-0 to eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals, had been struggling with intense back discomfort, ultimately deeming it unmanageable during the tournament.
🚨 William Saliba has decided NOT to have surgery on his back injury after consultation with Arsenal. The player will now have a long period of rest & although the duration of absence is not known, it is expected to be months. ❌🇫🇷 [@lequipe] pic.twitter.com/YayoB9dPhS
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 22, 2026
Consultations Lead to Conservative Approach
While L’Equipe had previously suggested that surgery was no longer favoured, it has now been confirmed that the operation has been definitively ruled out following discussions between Saliba and Arsenal’s top brass. The recently crowned 2025-2026 Premier League champion will instead pursue a period of rest and rehabilitation, forgoing surgical intervention at this time.
No Fixed Timeline for Return
Despite avoiding surgery, Saliba faces an extended spell on the sidelines as he recovers from his injury. The precise length of his absence remains uncertain and will largely depend on his progress during the recovery phase. The centre-back is expected to be unavailable to Mikel Arteta’s squad for several months, with a return date yet to be determined.
