Injured Arsenal international set for World Cup start after returning to training | OneFootball

Arsenal and France fans received good news on Saturday, as William Saliba finally returned to training with his national team ahead of their World Cup campaign.

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Amid his ongoing back issues and a couple of training absences this week, William Saliba returned to training with France on Saturday.

L’Equipe report that Saliba trained normally on Saturday, adding that his half-time substitution in France’s final friendly against Northern Ireland on Monday was pre-planned.

The French outlet add that Saliba is expected to start France’s first match against Senegal, despite his recent injury concerns. His back problem is not expected to prevent him from playing, even if it is limiting his ability to train regularly.

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Didier Deschamps‘ squad held training sessions on Thursday and Friday as well, and Saliba didn’t take part on either occasion. Saliba was present to do laps of the pitch alongside Adrien Rabiot, but he didn’t participate in the group session with the rest of the squad.

Previous reports had confirmed that the defender has been struggling with a back injury in recent weeks, and he needs to be managed carefully. The centre-back reportedly may require an operation after the tournament.

The exact nature of the operation has never been specified, but Arsenal are apparently aware that Saliba may miss the start of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.

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Saliba previously missed around three months of football in 2022/23 with a back problem, his longest absence since joining Arsenal.

The defender made 50 appearances as Arsenal won the Premier League and reached the finals of the Champions League and League Cup this season, and the Gunners have often run into difficulties without him.

The fans will now be sweating on Saliba’s involvement at the World Cup and the outcome of his potential post-season operation.