The defender says he played through discomfort for Arsenal in the Premier League and Champions League, with his condition still being managed at the World Cup.
William Saliba has admitted he is still not fully fit as he continues to manage the back problem that caused concern before the World Cup, but the Arsenal defender says he is prepared to “grit his teeth” rather than look for excuses.
Before the tournament began, it was reported that Saliba could need surgery on a back issue that has been troubling him for some time, with the possibility that he may miss the start of Arsenal’s new season.
Speaking on international duty with France, he confirmed the problem has been with him for months, though he stressed that both club and country have managed him carefully.
“I have had small discomfort for several months. I clenched my teeth for the Premier League and the Champions League,” Saliba said.
“The staff manages me very well, the coach too. You have to grit your teeth for a World Cup, it’s every four years. I can’t say what it prevents me from doing, some would read what I say.
“I’m not 100% but that’s the case with a lot of players [like Bukayo Saka]. We must grit our teeth, not look for excuses. The staff is managing well, I hope it will continue.”
The centre-back also said the schedule had at least allowed France time to manage recovery between games.
“We were one of the teams that started the latest but it comes back to the same, it also means that we had more time to work, to prepare,” Saliba added. “There, we still have six days. We can rest, treat the sores and recover, study the opposing teams too.”
Saliba was also asked about the condition of the pitches, admitting he had been surprised during France’s opening match and that the surface had not helped him.
“I was a little surprised at the first match,” he said. “We hesitated to play moulded or screw-in studs, which is rare for me. I preferred screw-ins. But the pitch was more like synthetic, very hard. We have no choice, we have to play, the same pitch for both teams. But it wasn’t great.”
Asked if there had been any impact on his back, he replied, “It’s annoying but there’s no choice.”
He also spoke about the lingering disappointment of Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, which was decided on penalties, and how the quick shift towards the World Cup helped him move on.
“It was a little easier because the World Cup was coming soon after,” he said. “It was difficult the first three four days. It gets carried away at the table (with the Parisians) but it’s just fun, it’s forgotten and I hope we’ll come back stronger next year (with Arsenal)”.
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