William Saliba has returned to full training at Arsenal following a three-and-a-half-month absence due to a back injury, handing manager Mikel Arteta a defensive boost ahead of a busy festive fixture schedule.
The 25-year-old French international missed the campaign so far after sustaining a back problem during France’s World Cup semi-final loss to Spain. Saliba had managed the issue throughout the previous season, which culminated in Arsenal winning the Premier League title and the defender earning a spot in the PFA team of the year for the fourth consecutive time. Specialist consultations determined that surgery was not required, though the centre-back faced an extended period of rehabilitation involving individual drills at Arsenal’s base.
🚨🔴⚪️ William Saliba, part of the Arsenal travelling squad for next UCL game against Slavia. pic.twitter.com/v0gtbvwglz
Ezri Konsa Fills the Gap as Arsenal Reclaim Top Spot
Joining from Aston Villa in a deal worth ÂŁ55m, the England international played in a defence that conceded just five goals in their first nine league matches. In Saliba’s absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa stepped into the starting lineup alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, helping propel the club back to the summit of the table. Konsa’s transition into the London environment earned praise from the coaching staff, with Arteta describing his adaptation as unbelievable following a string of impressive displays, including a 1-0 victory at Anfield.
Arteta Prepares for Selection Dilemma Ahead of Champions League Trip
Saliba successfully completed 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week, clearing the way for his inclusion in the travelling squad for the UEFA Champions League match against Slavia Prague. Speaking in a pre-match press conference, Arteta addressed the player’s readiness.
He’s in a really good place. The process and the timings and the manner that the injury has been dealt with, especially the feelings that Willy has been having along the way, they have been very, very positive. His evolution has been as expected, which is not always the case. He feels really comfortable. He played 45 minutes behind closed doors last week. He feels ready to go. Whether we use him or not now is a matter of what the team needs.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal Manager
The return of the French defender creates a tactical puzzle for the coaching staff, who must decide whether to disrupt the established partnership between Gabriel and Konsa. One alternative involves shifting Konsa to right-back—a position he has played for England and Aston Villa—though Ben White and Jurrien Timber also compete for minutes on the flanks. Arteta noted that having multiple options provides a welcome luxury for managing player fatigue across multiple competitions.
So far we haven’t had that luxury – I wouldn’t call it a problem. The moment they are fit and available, we’re going to have opportunities to load the players and manage their congestion in a better way than we’ve done it. Ezri can play as a full-back. I think his main position is centre-back. He can play right or left, Willy has done the same with the national team and here at Arsenal. That’s going to be something really positive for the team.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal Manager
Whether Mikel Arteta will immediately restore William Saliba to the starting lineup against Slavia Prague remains unstated.
🇫🇷 Wilo's return ⏪ Last season's win in Prague 👏 Praise for Dec Every word from Mikel's pre-Slavia Prague press conference 👇
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🚨🔴⚪️ Mikel Arteta: “Saliba is in a really good place”. “He played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors match last week and feels ready to go so we will give him the right amount of minutes”. pic.twitter.com/TqczbCV5cb