William Saliba: Arsenal dealt injury concern as France star issues World Cup latest

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·21 Juni 2026

William Saliba: Arsenal dealt injury concern as France star issues World Cup latest

Arsenal star played key role in Premier League triumph

Arsenal have been dealt a huge injury worry after William Saliba admitted that he has been playing through pain for months.

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The centre-back, who is representing France at this summer’s World Cup, is one of Les Bleus’ starting central defenders in North America, alongside Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano.

He started the 2022 runners-up’s opener against Senegal, where they won 3-1, but made a big admission on Saturday ahead of their second game against Iraq in Philadephia, Pennsylvania.

“I’ve had some minor niggles for several months,” he revealed to reporters on Saturday.

“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,” Saliba said at a press conference ahead of his country’s upcoming Group I match against Iraq.

Title winner: William Saliba

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“The World Cup comes round 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 a crucial cog at the back for Arsenal this season, as the Gunners won a first Premier League title since 2004 and reached the Champions League final, where they lost out to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in Budapest.

He played 50 games in all competitions, scoring once against Chelsea.

His only assist came in the Carabao Cup third round against League One Port Vale, where the north Londoners secured a 2-0 victory.