Saliba back in full Arsenal training after back injury, ahead of Slavia Prague game

Back in full training

William Saliba took part in a full training session on Tuesday, 3 November, a day before the Champions League tie with Slavia Prague on Wednesday, 4 November. The 25-year-old had been doing individual work at Arsenal's Colney base before returning to first-team sessions, and one report says he was back in first-team training on Monday, 2 November, though that was understood rather than confirmed. It is not yet confirmed whether he will be named in the squad for Prague. He has not played since he was substituted after about half an hour of France's 2-0 World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain, a gap of three and a half months since his last game. Arsenal said in July that his back injury did not need surgery but would require an extended period of rehabilitation, and no timescale for his return has been given.

Arteta on his readiness

Mikel Arteta said on Tuesday that Saliba is in a good place, and that the way the injury has been handled, along with the defender's own feelings during recovery, has been very positive. Arteta said Saliba's progress had matched what the staff expected, and that the defender had played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly. Arteta added:

“He feels ready to go. Whether we use him or not now is a matter of what the team needs.”

Arteta rejected the idea that Saliba would be eased back in with limited minutes. He said the defender is available like any other player and that the staff's job now is to give him minutes, since a centre-back is normally expected to play a full 90 minutes.

Konsa and the defensive dilemma

Ezri Konsa, a summer signing from Aston Villa, has been an ever-present alongside Gabriel Magalhaes since Cristhian Mosquera was injured at Villa Park in August. Arsenal have conceded five goals in nine Premier League games and kept four clean sheets in a row, including a 1-0 win at Liverpool on Sunday, 1 November, their first win at Anfield in 14 years. The club sits top of the Premier League. Saliba and Gabriel were central to last season's first Premier League title in 22 years, and Saliba was named in the PFA team of the year for the fourth consecutive time. Arteta now has to decide how to use the pair, and one option raised by the sources is moving Konsa to right-back, where he has occasionally played for Aston Villa and England. Jurrien Timber and Ben White are also options at right-back.

What comes next

Arsenal face Slavia Prague on Wednesday, 4 November, and Hull City on Saturday, 7 November, before a two-week break for the November international fixtures. That gap gives Saliba more time on the training pitch to build his fitness. Arsenal are expected to stay cautious with his return to competitive action, while Arteta works out how to fit Saliba back into a defence that has been working well.