Istanbul / Ahmed Hassan / Anadolu

Arsenal, the English Premier League football champions, announced that their French international defender William Saliba will be out for a 'long period' after suffering a back injury while playing for the France national team at the 2026 World Cup finals.

The London club said in a statement on Wednesday evening: 'William Saliba returned to us from his participation in the World Cup, where he played a key role in France reaching the semi-finals of the tournament.'

It continued: 'Subsequent specialist examinations, which were carried out on William upon his return to London this week, confirmed that he is suffering from a back injury that requires a period of rehabilitation.'

The statement added: 'Comprehensive assessments concluded that surgery is not recommended, but William must now begin a managed recovery program, and his rehabilitation process will start immediately, with ongoing management of his injury, and he is expected to be out of action for a long period.'

The 25-year-old player had been suffering from a back problem for several weeks, which continued into the World Cup, but he was forced to leave after 30 minutes of the match France lost to Spain in the semi-final.

Saliba was forced to miss the match France lost to England for third and fourth place in the 2026 World Cup, and he had previously said: 'I have suffered from some minor injuries for several months.'

Saliba added: 'I have been gritting my teeth because there is the Champions League and the English Premier League,' pointing out that 'the World Cup only takes place once every four years, so you have to be patient and endure.'

Saliba played in 50 matches in all competitions for Arsenal last season, where the team ended a 22-year wait to win the English Premier League and also reached the Champions League final.

Mikel Arteta's squad faces Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, August 16, five days before the 'Gunners' begin their Premier League title defense campaign, where they host newly promoted Coventry City.