The World Cup gave Arsenal a problem everyone saw coming.
France were beaten by Spain in the semi-final.
And before Mikel Arteta had even processed that result, a far more pressing issue had arrived.
William Saliba came off at half time.
A back injury that had been managed for months had finally given way at the worst possible moment.
And now Arsenal face the prospect of starting their season without their first-choice centre-back for four to five months.
Arsenal express interest in Ezri Konsa as Saliba injury blow accelerates defensive pursuit
According to the Guardian, Arsenal have expressed interest in signing Konsa, with Mikel Arteta driving the pursuit and the England international’s versatility across the backline considered a key factor in their thinking.
Konsa can play centre-back or right-back.
In a squad that may lose Ben White too, that adaptability is invaluable.
The injury context is everything.
Saliba had been managing the back problem for months, admitting he was “gritting his teeth” through the pain as France progressed through the tournament.
He made it to the semi-finals.
He didn’t make it to half time.
Arsenal will make their own assessment before any surgical decision is taken, but sources suggest the 25-year-old could be out until late 2026.
Crucially, this is not simply a reactive pursuit.
Sources close to the club confirmed that Arsenal had been looking at central defenders for months before Saliba’s injury, the problem has simply made the timeline considerably more urgent.
He started six of England’s seven World Cup matches.
Performing with the composure and consistency that has made him one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League over the past three seasons.
However, the obstacle is Aston Villa’s valuation.
They want £60 million.
For a player who would primarily arrive to cover for Saliba rather than replace him entirely, that fee gives Arsenal pause.
But with the Champions League beginning in September and their best centre-back potentially unavailable until Christmas, the calculation may shift very quickly.
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