Arsenal have suffered a major setback ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign following news that star defender William Saliba will be sidelined for several months.
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Subscribe Sekarang →According to reports, the 25-year-old French international sustained a back injury during France's World Cup semi-final clash this summer. Medical estimates suggest Saliba will not return to competitive action until October at the earliest, leaving manager Mikel Arteta searching for immediate defensive reinforcements.
Based on transfer reports, Arsenal have identified veteran defender John Stones as a potential option to bolster their backline alongside Gabriel Magalhaes. Arteta previously worked with Stones during his coaching tenure at Manchester City and remains a strong admirer of the former England international.
However, Arsenal face stiff competition from Chelsea, who are also monitoring Stones" status as a free agent. Should a deal for Stones fall through, reports indicate Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has been shortlisted as an alternative target to maintain stability at the back.