The Gunners' grand plans for the new season are set to take a major hit as star centre-back William Saliba faces a make-or-break assessment on his persistent back injury. The 25-year-old French international has been battling the problem for weeks, and it's fair to say it's been a real test of his mettle – not just on the pitch but also in the midst of the World Cup madness.
Saliba's exit after just 30 minutes against Spain was a worrying sign, and now Arsenal's medical team will get a closer look at the extent of the damage when he reports back to the Emirates. One possible course of action? Surgery – but that would mean a lengthy spell on the sidelines for the defender who made an impressive 50 appearances last season.
Saliba was the lynchpin in Arsenal's title-winning campaign, marshalling the Gunners' rearguard with aplomb and helping them reach the Champions League final. His absence would be a major blow to Mikel Arteta's plans for the upcoming season – just when the team thought they were building momentum.
The French defender had been playing through the pain barrier for months, gritting his teeth as he said "You've got to grit your teeth" in an earlier interview. He even missed France's final group game against Norway but was back on the pitch for the knockout stages – until, that is, his untimely departure from the semi-final.
But first things first: the World Cup third-place play-off between France and England beckons on Saturday at 22:00 BST. After that, Saliba will head to Arsenal where the medical verdict will seal his fate for the foreseeable future – and send shockwaves through the Gunners' camp in the process.