Arsenal star suffers serious injury scare on the the eve of the World Cup

The club season is now over so, for players and supporters alike, all attention turns towards the World Cup. For Arsenal and PSG players in particular, they will not get very much of a break at all. There is less than a fortnight between the pair's gruelling Champions League Final at the Puskás Aréna, that went to extra time and penalties, and the World Cup's opening night in Mexico.

Thus, with such a quick turnaround, even a minor injury could seriously threaten a player's participation at the tournament. Well, according to reports, there are fears around William Saliba's fitness. On Monday morning, journalist Santi Aouna of Foot Mercato had this to say:

"William Saliba could be sidelined for several weeks. Already compromised before the match against PSG, William Saliba worsened his injury during the game. The Frenchman is still in pain and his condition is causing genuine concern within the FFF just days before the World Cup."

Note: this was translated from French.

The injury issue is not specified, nor known, considering there was no doubt about Saliba's availability for the final in Budapest heading into the game. The 25 year old then played the full 120 minutes, not receiving treatment at any point, but this is not to say he is not carrying an issue. The centre-back had though featured in 15 successive Arsenal matches, before being rested at Selhurst, most recently missing a match due to injury at Brighton all the way back on 4 March.

Were he to be sidelined, that would obviously be a huge blow for France and a concern for Arsenal too. However, unless it is a really bad injury, this is not likely to be the end of Saliba's World Cup dream. Les Bleus kick off their campaign stateside against Senegal in New Jersey on 16 June, more than a fortnight from now, while their final group clash against Norway is not until 26 June.

Thus, given the expanded tournament, Didier Deschamps is able to give Saliba time to heal, rest and recuperate, even if he may now be unlikely to be available for in friendlies against Côte d'Ivoire in Nantes on Thursday and then when Northern Ireland visit Lille next Monday night.

Saliba is France's undisputed best centre-back, so Deschamps will not want to be without him.

France's World Cup centre-back options

Saliba alongside Dayot Upamecano will be les Bleus preferred pairing this summer, with Ibrahima Konaté's form at Liverpool having seen him relinquish the starting role. Thus, losing the Arsenal man would not be ideal, but time is on his side.

Assuming France finish first or second Group I, their round of 32 fixture in either East Rutherford or Arlington isn't until 30 June, and the knockout phase is where the real competition begins for teams of this calibre. Thus, let's all hope that, if Saliba is carrying a knock, it is not too bad.

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