William Saliba could miss several months of action after playing at the 2026 World Cup with a serious back injury. His potentially lengthy absence is already forcing Arsenal to consider possible replacements in central defence.
It is terrible news for William Saliba. According to RMC Sport, the Frenchman suffered a fracture before the start of the tournament. Despite persistent pain, he reportedly continued playing for almost six weeks, featuring in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain before taking part in France’s World Cup campaign.
Konsa or Mavropanos to Replace Saliba?
The 25-year-old defender was eventually forced off in the 30th minute of the semi-final defeat to Spain. Surgery is now reportedly being considered, with Saliba expected to be sidelined for four to five months if he undergoes an operation.
According to Caught Offside, Arsenal have begun assessing several options, including Ezri Konsa and Konstantinos Mavropanos. Konsa is viewed as the more ambitious target after an impressive season with Aston Villa and a strong World Cup with England, while former Arsenal defender Mavropanos could be available following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship.
Arsenal must now decide whether to recruit a first-choice centre-back capable of directly replacing Saliba or simply add further depth to the squad. The final decision is likely to depend on the exact length of the Frenchman’s absence and the financial demands of Aston Villa and West Ham.
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