Arsenal set to receive millions from FIFA after Mikel Arteta dealt serious blow

Saliba, 24, who has been playing through the pain barrier since March, broke down during France's 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain last Tuesday. The defender hobbled off the field in the 30th minute and was replaced by Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix.

It has since been revealed that Saliba could miss up to five months of action and may require surgery on his back. The injury is a similar complaint to the one he suffered near the end of the 2022/23 season.

France manager Didier Deschamps confirmed post-match that Saliba's pain became "unbearable" during the Spain game and the extent of the issue became clear on the field.

Then before the World Cup third-place play-off against England, Deschamps delivered another update on Saliba's condition, saying: "William Saliba got injured and it's problematic.

"He went through some examinations. The injury did not worsen. He faced that injury since March. He had some pain and unfortunately the pain was not bearable."

Arsenal are yet to provide any indication of a recovery timeline, but it's understood that it will be a lengthy spell on the sidelines with Saliba facing the prospect of being out until mid-November at the earliest.

Although Saliba's absence will be a massive blow for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, the club are poised to receive a healthy amount of compensation from FIFA as the back injury was aggravated during the World Cup.

Since 2012, FIFA's Club Protection Programme has covered the salary of players injured on international duty. However, there are some conditions that must be met first.

One of which states that the player must be out of action for a period of at least 28 consecutive days and the injury must have been sustained during an 'accident'.

As Saliba is expected to be out for between four to five months and the injury was worsened while playing at the World Cup, Arsenal are likely to be able to claim compensation from FIFA for the time Saliba is out for.

It means that Arsenal could receive at least £4m from FIFA to cover Saliba, who is reported to be on around £250,000 per-week at the Emirates Stadium after signing a new bumper contract last September.

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While it won't completely help to replace Saliba in that time, it does soften the blow and gives Arsenal some more wiggle room in the transfer window if they want to sign a replacement for the Frenchman.

Aston Villa and England defender Ezri Konsa has been touted as a summer target after impressing for the Three Lions at the World Cup. However, Villa are keen to keep the 28-year-old, who is valued at more than £50m.

It remains to be seen at this point whether the Gunners will sign a short-term Saliba replacement, or sign someone like Konsa who can fill in for the ex-Marseille man or even come in and play at right-back.