William Saliba will be absent for an extended period. Arsenal have officially confirmed it, and Mikel Arteta has not downplayed the situation: the French defender must undergo a rest phase before gradually returning to training. Having sustained a back problem during the World Cup, he is continuing his recovery without the need for surgery.
A key pillar missing for the Gunners
It is a severe blow for Arsenal. Saliba has established himself as one of the central figures in the London side's defence, and his absence deprives Arteta of a major asset at the precise moment the club is preparing to launch its new season.
The fixture list makes the situation even more delicate: the Gunners must first face Manchester City on Sunday 16 August in the Community Shield, before beginning the defence of their Premier League title against Coventry on 21 August. Arteta will therefore need to quickly establish a new defensive hierarchy in the centre.
The transfer market as an answer
The London club is exploring several options in the transfer market. Jarell Quansah, who moved from Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen in 2025, is among the profiles being considered. Discussions are said to have been opened with the German club, even though the latter is not particularly keen to part with their defender.
The name of Ezri Konsa is also being mentioned among the files under consideration. Arsenal is thus looking to fill the void left by Saliba's absence as quickly as possible, with his return date remaining undetermined for the time being.
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