William Saliba continues his rehabilitation program. Victim of a serious back fracture contracted with Arsenal last May, the 25-year-old French defender aggravated his injury during the 2026 World Cup. He had gritted his teeth to play the tournament with the Blues under infiltrations and painkillers, before his body completely gave up against Spain in the semi-finals.
After undergoing extensive examinations, the operation was ruled out in favor of conservative treatment based on massage, physiotherapy and intensive daily care to minimize the risk of long-term relapse. And this October, Saliba took a new step by resuming running in a moderate manner at the Gunners training center.
While his return to the field is hoped for at the end of the year, Florent Gautreau fears that the native of Bondy will never find his best level. Like Samuel Umtiti who sacrificed his knee during the 2018 World Cup.
“I think it will be complicated, a bit like Umtiti”
“Saliba, this injury is very complicated… Not just for the Blues rally in November. I think it will be complicated, a bit like Umtiti”launched the journalist on the airwaves of RMC.
Before the World Cup in Russia, Samuel Umtiti was already suffering from a serious cartilage lesion in his left knee. Faced with the dilemma of his life, he chose, on medical advice, to postpone a major surgical operation which would have deprived him of competition. He plays under infiltrations and overcomes unbearable pain, becoming the hero of the semi-final against Belgium. If he gets his first star, his joint will be permanently destroyed. And behind, the former Lyonnais never managed to regain his best level, a series of relapses pushing him to end his career at the age of 31.
