Arsenal had earlier announced that the 25-year-old French defender faces a lengthy period of rehabilitation after picking up an injury at the World Cup.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Arsenal are looking into signing John Stones or Ezri Konsa following news that William Saliba will be out for an extended period after sustaining a major injury.
According to The Independent, the North London outfit took the decision after the French centre-back opted against having surgery after injuring his back while playing for his country at the 2026 World Cup.
Confirming the development, a statement from Arsenal on Wednesday read: “Subsequent specialist reviews on William’s return to London this week have confirmed that he has suffered a back injury which will require a period of rehabilitation. Extensive assessments have concluded that surgery is not recommended, but William should now commence a managed recovery programme.”
The club further made it known that the 25-year-old defender is facing a lengthy period of rehabilitation.
“William’s rehabilitation will commence immediately, with continual management of his injury, and he is expected to be out of action for an extended period. Everyone is fully focused on supporting William to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible,” Arsenal added.
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However, due to the long-term injury blow, the Gunners are now expected to bring in a new centre-back to partner Gabriel Magalhães in the coming weeks and are prepared to spend big to add depth to the position.
Although there is cover for Saliba in the shape of Piero Hincapié, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurriën Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, and Ben White, some of that group’s own injury issues—coupled with Mikel Arteta’s preference to avoid shifting his first-choice full-backs—have led to a decision to spend again at centre-back this summer.
Stones, who worked with Arteta during his time as assistant to Pep Guardiola, is available as a free agent after leaving Manchester City at the end of his contract.
Konsa, on the other hand, is not a free agent and has two years remaining on his contract at Aston Villa.
It is also understood that both players are being considered over other available defenders because of their ability to operate at right-back.
