Saliba back injury may require surgery, casting doubt over Arsenal's 2026/27 season start

William Saliba may require surgery on a back injury sustained during Arsenal’s season, according to French outlet L’Equipe, raising serious questions over the 25-year-old’s availability for the start of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign in August. Any procedure would be expected to take place after this summer’s World Cup, should it prove necessary.

Saliba had been managing the problem throughout the closing weeks of Arsenal’s season, during which he was instrumental in the club’s Premier League title win. He also played the full 120 minutes of the Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the weekend, underscoring how central he has been to Mikel Arteta’s side.

The injury initially prompted fears that Saliba could miss France’s World Cup campaign in North America entirely. Those concerns appear to have eased for now — France manager Didier Deschamps confirmed the defender had reported to the national team’s training camp. “He’s here, everything is fine,” Deschamps told La Dépêche du Midi.

Nevertheless, the French federation is reported to be monitoring Saliba’s fitness closely ahead of the tournament. France open their Group I campaign against Senegal on 16 June in New Jersey, before facing Iraq in Philadelphia on 22 June and Norway in Foxborough on 26 June. Les Bleus also have warm-up friendlies against Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland scheduled this week.

Whether Saliba features in either friendly remains uncertain. The more pressing concern for Arsenal, however, is what happens after the tournament concludes. Should surgery be required, the club could be without their first-choice centre-back for the opening weeks — or potentially months — of the new season, a significant blow as they look to build on winning the title.