Arsenal’s Saliba set for extended spell on sidelines with back injury

Arsenal have confirmed that William Saliba will miss an “extended period” after the defender picked up a back injury while representing France at the World Cup. The 25-year-old had been carrying the problem for several weeks and tried to manage it through the tournament, but he was forced off after just 30 minutes of France’s semi-final loss to Spain. After returning to London and undergoing a consultation with a specialist, the club decided that surgery is not required. Instead, Saliba will begin a structured recovery programme. The injury also ruled him out of France’s bronze-medal match, which they lost to England. Speaking earlier in the World Cup, Saliba admitted he had been playing through pain. “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. The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth,” he said. Last season, Saliba was a key figure for Mikel Arteta’s side, making 50 appearances across all competitions as Arsenal ended a 22-year wait to win the Premier League and also reached the Champions League final. The Gunners will face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August, five days before they begin the defence of their league title at home to newly-promoted Coventry City.