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Arsenal and France centre-back William Saliba was forced to leave the field during his country’s World Cup semi-final encounter with Spain after aggravating a persistent back problem. France eventually fell 2-0, bringing their World Cup journey to an end. The defender has been coping with this issue for several months, and his latest setback has heightened concerns that surgery may now be necessary before the new season begins.

During the semi-final against Spain, Saliba collapsed to the ground without any contact while in possession of the ball. He then kicked it out of play before being replaced by Maxence Lacroix. Spain went on to secure a 2-0 victory, booking their place in the final to face either England or Argentina.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Saliba informed his teammates, “My back is gone, my back is gone.” This alarming statement has intensified existing worries about his condition, especially after L’Equipe recently suggested he could require surgery. Arsenal are said to be monitoring the situation very closely as the new Premier League season approaches in August.

Saliba has been playing through discomfort for some time. The Arsenal defender featured 50 times in all competitions last season, including a demanding 120-minute display in their Champions League final loss. The 23-year-old has previously admitted to having persistent back problems.

Speaking during the World Cup group stage, Saliba shared: “I’ve had some minor niggles for several months. I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well. The World Cup comes around only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth. I’m not at 100 per cent, but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100 per cent either. You can’t make excuses.”

Before the tournament in North America began, there were serious doubts over whether Saliba would even be fit enough to make the squad. France manager Didier Deschamps had earlier played down those concerns when asked about the defender’s condition by La Dépêche du Midi, assuring: “He’s here, everything is fine.” Despite that confidence, Saliba evidently struggled to maintain his physical levels. He featured in France’s first two group matches, sat out the third, and returned for the knockout rounds. However, his collapse during the 2-0 loss to Spain indicates that his body may have reached its limit, leaving both France and Arsenal anxious about his recovery timeline.

Arsenal will now wait for full medical evaluations once Saliba returns to London following France’s semi-final defeat. Should the reports confirming the need for surgery prove accurate, the Gunners could find themselves facing a significant defensive dilemma. Saliba is expected to miss the Community Shield on August 16 and may be in a race against time to regain fitness for the early Premier League fixtures.