William Saliba: The Arsenal and France defender is set to be sidelined with a back injury.

Arsenal Defender William Saliba has confirmed he is set to miss an “extended period” after suffering a back injury while at the World Cup with France.

The 25-year-old has been managing a back problem for several weeks and carried the problem into the World Cup, but was forced off after 30 minutes of France’s semi-final loss to Spain.

After returning to London and being seen by specialists, it was decided that surgery would not be necessary, instead a managed rehabilitation program.

Saliba was forced to settle for a loss to England in the bronze medal match of the World Cup in France.

“I had a few little niggles for several months,” he said earlier in the World Cup.

It was the Champions League and the Premier League so I gritted my teeth.

“The World Cup only comes once every four years, so you have to brush your teeth.”

Saliba played 50 games in all competitions Arsenal Last season they ended a 22-year wait to win the Premier League and also reached the Champions League final.

Mikel Arteta’s team will play Manchester City Sunday, August 16 in the Community Shield – five days before the Gunners begin their Premier League title defense. Coventry City.