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One of the key storylines at the end of last season for Arsenal was the health of their defender, William Saliba, who had been struggling with a back injury in the latter stages of the campaign. It didn't stop the Frenchman from playing in the Champions League final or appearing in six matches for France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but it certainly delayed any action taken to fix his injury.
While there isn't any timeline on Saliba's injury, it appears that the Gunners are looking to bolster their backline next season, and according to a recent report, it could lead them towards looking at the English National Team.
Stones to Arsenal?
As reported by The Sun's Tom Barclay, the Gunners are eyeing a move for former Manchester City and current Three Lions defender John Stones to fill the hole that could be left by Saliba in the coming days.
"Arsenal are considering John Stones as a short-term freebie fix if William Saliba’s injury proves to be serious," writes Barclay. "Saliba’s suspected back issue is yet to be assessed by the Gunners but there are fears he could be out for up to five months."
The move wouldn't cost Arsenal anything out of their transfer budget given that Stones is a free agent, following the expiration of his deal with Manchester City, bringing an end to a decade long stint at the Etihad, a stretch of time that saw him do everything possible at the club level, having lifted the Champions League trophy, FIFA Club World Cup trophy, UEFA Super Cup, and on several occasions, the Premier League title.
The England defender is coming off a third-place finish with his national team at the World Cup, a tournament that saw him appear in five matches, having started in three of those fixtures. He would make some key interceptions as well as eat up some crucial minutes during some of the Three Lions' more difficult matches.
It is worth noting that Stones hasn't been the most durable player in the last few seasons, having to deal with multiple issues in his legs, with calf problems and thigh woes keeping him sidelined in the most recent campaign.
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Declan Harris
Declan Harris is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He graduated from Temple University's Klein College of Media and Communication in 2023 and has written for On SI, CityXtra and Newsweek.
Source: Sporting News
