Arsenal defender William Saliba is facing up to five months out injured after limping off during France’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain.
The centre back was seen saying: ‘My back is gone, my back is gone’ as he was withdrawn in the second half, and, according to reports in France, could now miss a number of months at the start of the Premier League season.
According to L’Equipe, the Arsenal man is set for surgery and could be absent until December.
It will come as a major blow to the Gunners, who are looking to defend their Premier League title but will now be without half of their first-choice centre back pairing for the foreseeable.
Saliba had been running with the ball at his feet into his own half in the 2-0 loss against Spain, before pulling up and dropping to the pitch under no pressure.
The 25-year-old then kicked the ball out of play before shaking his head to fellow centre back Dayot Upamecano.
The France and Arsenal star was reportedly seen saying ‘my back is gone’ to team-mates
French football journalist Julien Laurens reported that Saliba had said: ‘My back is gone, my back is gone.’
Saliba was unable to continue with Maxence Lacroix coming on as a substitute.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side are due to face Man City in the Community Shield on August 16, before beginning their Premier League campaign on August 21 against newly promoted Coventry.
Saliba had confirmed during the World Cup group stage that he was managing a back problem during the tournament.
‘I’ve had some minor niggles for several months,’ Saliba said.
‘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.’
Saliba was key to Arsenal’s Premier League title win last season but they will seemingly have to make do without him for a while
Saliba played 50 times in all competitions last season for Arsenal as the Gunners claimed the Premier League title and finished as Champions League and Carabao Cup runners-up.
He started France’s opening two group stage matches at the World Cup, but was rested for their third after they qualified for the knock-out stages.
Saliba had played in each of France’s knock-out matches.
