William Saliba Injury Update, Check the Latest News
by Rubaditsha
Updated Jun 08, 2023
Who is William Saliba?
William Alain André Gabriel Saliba, born on March 24, 2001, is a talented French footballer who currently plays as a centre-back for both Arsenal in the Premier League and the France national team.
Saliba's professional career began at a young age when he started playing football at six years old under the guidance of Kylian Mbappé's father. He later joined Saint-Étienne in 2016 and signed his first professional contract at the age of 17 in May 2018. Saliba made his debut for the club on September 25, 2018, in a 3-2 victory over Toulouse in Ligue 1. In his first season at Saint-Étienne, he made 13 starting appearances.
After signing with Arsenal, Saliba returned to Saint-Étienne on loan for the 2019-20 season. He played 17 games for the club and played a significant role in helping them reach the final of the 2020 Coupe de France. However, due to the loan agreement ending two weeks before the final, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was unable to participate in the match.
There were discussions to extend Saliba's loan at Saint-Étienne temporarily, but Arsenal reportedly would have been required to pay €2.5 million to the French club if he featured in the final. Saint-Étienne was hesitant to waive the fee and also requested full control over Saliba's training sessions. As a result, Saliba returned to Arsenal on July 24, 2020.
On July 25, 2019, Arsenal officially announced the signing of Saliba on a "long-term" contract. The transfer fee was reported to be £27 million, and the contract duration was said to be five years. Arsenal faced competition from Tottenham Hotspur for Saliba's signature, but he ultimately chose Arsenal, as the club had expressed interest in him since late 2018.
Upon his return to Arsenal in 2020, Saliba was assigned the number 4 shirt. He made his first appearance for Arsenal in a pre-season friendly against MK Dons on August 25, 2020. He was also named as an unused substitute in the 2020 FA Community Shield, in which Arsenal defeated Liverpool in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time.
However, Saliba was excluded from the club's competitive squads for the 2020-21 season, limiting him to playing for Arsenal U23s. He featured in EFL Trophy games against Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon but received a red card in the latter fixture. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta later expressed regret over the decision, leading to Saliba's loan move to France in January for a six-month period.
William Saliba Injury Update
William Saliba suffered an injury during the second leg of Arsenal's Europa League tie with Sporting CP, which seemingly had a significant impact on the team's performance. Saliba had impressed upon his return from a loan spell with Marseille and had made a positive contribution to the team's defensive capabilities and overall play.
The absence of Saliba following his injury coincided with a downturn in results for Arsenal, leading many to believe that his absence was a major factor in the team's drop in form. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, acknowledged the importance of Saliba's presence and the impact he had on the team's dynamics.
In terms of Saliba's recovery, Arteta mentioned that the defender has been progressing in a positive manner in recent weeks. However, it is still uncertain whether he will be fit for the start of the next season. Arteta emphasized the need to provide Saliba with the necessary time and care to ensure a good pre-season and a chance to perform at his best in the upcoming campaign.
If Saliba's recovery does not progress as hoped and he is unable to return in time for the new season, it may prompt Arsenal to reconsider their transfer strategy for the summer window. The team's focus may shift towards acquiring a suitable replacement, particularly in the center-back position, to cope with the potential strain of participating in the Champions League.
While the text does not explicitly mention specific alternative options for a center-back, it suggests that Declan Rice is a priority target for Arsenal in midfield. This implies that Arsenal may not only be looking to address Saliba's absence but also aiming to strengthen their midfield area.
The injury to William Saliba had a noticeable impact on Arsenal's performance, and his absence was considered a significant factor in the team's drop in form. The uncertainty surrounding his return has raised the possibility of Arsenal reassessing their transfer strategy, potentially focusing on acquiring a replacement center-back and strengthening their midfield options.
William Saliba Injury
William Saliba sustained an injury during Arsenal's Europa League tie against Sporting CP, and it is believed to have had a significant influence on the team's performance. Saliba had made a strong impression after returning from his loan spell at Marseille and quickly established himself as a key player in Mikel Arteta's squad.
The absence of Saliba following his injury coincided with a downturn in Arsenal's form, leading many to attribute their drop in performance to his absence. Saliba's impact on the team was likened to the transformative effect Virgil van Dijk had on Liverpool's defense. His composure on the ball and defensive awareness were highly valued, and his absence seemed to disrupt the team's cohesion and defensive solidity.
Mikel Arteta acknowledged the importance of Saliba's presence and expressed hope for his return in time for the upcoming season. However, Arteta also stated that it is too early to determine Saliba's availability for the preseason, suggesting that there may still be uncertainties regarding his recovery timeline.
The priority now for Arsenal is to ensure Saliba receives the necessary care and attention to facilitate a complete recovery. The coaching staff has taken a conservative approach to give him the best chance of having a productive preseason and being ready for the next campaign.
Should Saliba's return be delayed or if there are any doubts about his fitness, it could potentially impact Arsenal's transfer strategy for the summer window. With the added challenge of participating in the Champions League, Arteta and his backroom staff might need to consider alternative options to strengthen the center-back position.
While specific names are not mentioned in the provided text, it is implied that Arsenal's current focus in the transfer market is on securing Declan Rice as a midfield target. This indicates that Arsenal is looking to address potential midfield issues in addition to any defensive concerns resulting from Saliba's injury.
Ultimately, the decision on whether to pursue alternative center-back options will depend on Saliba's recovery progress and the assessment of Arsenal's coaching staff. They will need to evaluate the team's needs and priorities, considering the demands of the upcoming season and the potential absence of Saliba.
William Saliba Injury Update and Latest News
William Saliba sustained a back injury during Arsenal's Europa League match against Sporting CP in March. It was severe enough to force him to be substituted during the game, and he has not featured in any matches since then. The specific nature of the injury is not mentioned in the given text.
The latest update on Saliba's injury suggests that he is not making significant progress in terms of recovery. While he is reportedly feeling better day by day and has been able to engage in off-pitch activities, he has not been able to train with the first team. This indicates that he is still unable to participate fully in football-related activities.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, mentioned that Saliba's pain levels have improved, and he is in a good place in terms of off-pitch activities. However, there are still concerns about his capacity to handle the physical demands and the load required for playing matches. Arteta expressed hope that Saliba would reach a stage where he can have a positive impact and be in good condition to play for the team.
The expected return date for Saliba is mentioned as pre-season, indicating that the club is targeting his recovery for the start of the upcoming season. However, there is no definitive timeline provided, and it remains unclear when exactly Saliba will be fully fit and ready to return to action.
It is worth noting that the text does not mention the specific timeframes for Saliba's absence or the severity of his injury beyond the fact that he will miss the remainder of the 2022/23 season. The focus is primarily on his ongoing recovery and the hopes for his return in pre-season.
William Saliba Injury Update:FAQs
William Saliba made his professional debut on September 25, 2018, for Saint-Étienne in a Ligue 1 match against Toulouse.
Before signing for Arsenal, Saliba played for Saint-Étienne.
Yes, Saliba returned to Saint-Étienne on loan for the 2019-20 season.
No, Saliba missed the 2020 Coupe de France Final as his loan agreement with Saint-Étienne ended two weeks before the final.