Semi-final setback
Saliba was forced off with a back injury during France‘s semi-final defeat to Spain, leaving Arsenal anxiously awaiting news on the extent of the problem. The centre-back went down on the half-hour mark with les Bleus trailing 1-0 following a Spanish penalty. He kicked the ball away before slowly lowering himself to the ground, indicating that his back had gone. Saliba was helped from the pitch looking understandably upset and replaced by Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.
Managed condition
The withdrawal represents the culmination of a fitness issue that has troubled the 25-year-old since the later stages of the domestic season. Saliba played through the pain barrier to help the Gunners challenge for their first title since 2004, with the injury largely kept under wraps during the run-in. Once the club campaign concluded, the back problem became the primary concern for the national team’s medical staff ahead of Deschamps’ squad announcement.
Deschamps’ staff managed the condition carefully throughout the competition, resting Saliba for friendly matches and the final group game against Norway. They also excused him from large portions of training sessions in an attempt to preserve his fitness. However, warning signs appeared during the round of 32 victory over Sweden at MetLife stadium, where the defender showed discomfort on a poor playing surface.
Defensive record and club implications
Despite the fitness concerns, Saliba had formed an excellent partnership with Dayot Upamecano during the tournament. The duo were central to a defence that let in only two goals prior to the semi-final, with one of those coming in the already-decided Norway match. Lacroix performed admirably in difficult circumstances after replacing Saliba against Spain, but could not prevent les Bleus’ defeat.
Arsenal now face an anxious wait to discover the severity of the setback. With their title defence beginning in little over a month, Saliba’s availability for the start of the campaign remains uncertain.