Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have been managing fitness issues this season. The new Premier League season is just over a month away, which means players involved in the World Cup don't have much time to recover.

Arsenal go into the season as defending champions after winning their first league title in 22 years. However, such success comes with its own set of problems. Arsenal had 15 players involved in the World Cup and still have eight members of their squad involved before this weekend's final matches.

David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi are part of the Spain squad who will take on Argentina in the World Cup final, while England's Noni Madueke, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze are all involved in the bronze medal match against France. William Saliba is part of that France squad, but his tournament appears to be over. He had already been suffering from a back injury going into the World Cup and was forced off during their semi-final against Spain.

Saliba is not alone in being an Arsenal player who has had to be patched up to compete during this World Cup. The sight of Saliba limping off during France's defeat by Spain will have concerned Mikel Arteta. Saliba's partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes is a major reason why Arsenal have had so much success - their ability to keep clean sheets secured them vital points as they got over the line last season.

Saliba had to come off after just 30 minutes against Spain and will be assessed by the Gunners medical team when he returns to London. It is understood that surgery is among the options that will be considered by the club - but an operation would probably mean the 25-year-old spending a lengthy spell in the treatment room. Saliba has admitted he has been dealing with his back problem for a while. "I've had some minor niggles for several months," Saliba said earlier in the tournament. "I've been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you've got to grit your teeth."

Meanwhile, Arsenal are hopeful that Ben White will be fit for the start of the season after having knee surgery, with full-back Jurrien Timber also expected to be fit after missing out on the World Cup with the Netherlands. Timber was absent for a long spell towards the end of last season but battled back to make an appearance from the bench in the Champions League final.

If Saliba is ruled out for the long term, with reports in France suggesting he could be unavailable for four months, White and Timber can provide alternative options at centre back, as well as Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera. The fitness of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka has been widely debated throughout this World Cup. The pair are as important for their country as they are for their club and both have put their bodies on the line.

Rice has been dealing with a hamstring issue and had an injection at the back end of last year to deal with it. The 27-year-old also had a period of illness during the World Cup and was withdrawn at half-time during England's 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway. Arsenal played 63 matches in all competitions last season as they reached the Champions League final as well as winning the league title. Rice played in 55 of those and, with his Arsenal team-mates, joined the England camp later as they took a few days rest.

Now it will be decided how long a break Rice needs before he returns to pre-season with the Arsenal squad. The midfielder will automatically get the mandatory 21 days holiday once the World Cup is over. Saka is in a similar situation to Rice, where rest is the biggest benefit to the fitness issue he has been dealing with. The winger has been carrying an Achilles injury since March and admitted that playing in the tournament was a "gamble". England manager Thomas Tuchel said the winger was now "pain-free". However, he has had to still manage Saka's game time and he did not get off the bench as England lost to Argentina in the semi-finals.

As well as the Achilles issue last season, Saka missed matches because of a hamstring problem and will be hoping that a break this time out will ensure he regains his top level of fitness. Arteta will hope that, by getting a chance to rest, Rice and Saka can join pre-season with the rest of the squad without further delay. If they cannot, then Arsenal, already looking to strengthen in this transfer window, may look at bolstering the squad further.

The Gunners have reached a verbal agreement with Club Brugge to sign attacker Christos Tzolis. The deal for Tzolis comes after Arsenal sold winger Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for around £15m. The club would listen to offers for Gabriel Martinelli. His performances in a central role for Brazil could be interesting for potential suitors - showing his versatility in a role differing from that of his natural left-wing position. The Gunners are also monitoring Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and have a long-term interest in Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers as well.

If Saliba's injury is confirmed as being long-term once he is assessed, the club could go into the market for another centre-back. Arsenal's first pre-season friendly is away to Girona on 1 August, and will provide a first look at how the players are looking before the new season.