Arsenal defender William Saliba has rejoined first-team training ahead of the club’s Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague, handing manager Mikel Arteta a major boost alongside a tough selection dilemma. The 25-year-old center-back had been sidelined for the entire campaign so far after sustaining a back injury that forced his early departure during France’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain.
Saliba played through his back issue throughout last season before consulting a specialist after the World Cup. Although surgery was deemed unnecessary, he was placed on an unscheduled, lengthy rehabilitation program. After weeks of individual conditioning at the club’s training facility, the French international has finally returned to full group sessions just as Arsenal prepare for a demanding festive schedule. It was decided he did not need to undergo surgery but would require a lengthy rehabilitation.
In Saliba’s absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa has seamlessly integrated into the starting lineup following his £55m transfer from Aston Villa. Partnering alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, Konsa has helped maintain the Premier League’s most resilient defense, which has surrendered just five goals across nine league matches to keep Arsenal at the top of the standings. But it is one that will be both welcome to the Arsenal boss and the envy of other top teams across the continent.
The return of Saliba poses a creative problem for Arteta, given how instrumental the Frenchman was in securing Arsenal’s first Premier League title in 22 years last season. Saliba and Gabriel formed the foundational defensive pairing for a side that allowed a league-low 27 goals, leading to Saliba’s fourth consecutive inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year. Saliba and regular partner Gabriel were a huge reason why the Gunners won the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years last season. Which conceded only 27 league goals, their partnership was the bedrock of Arteta’s team.
While Arsenal management maintains a cautious approach regarding his match fitness and integration back into competitive action, Saliba’s availability provides Arteta with enviable depth and difficult choices across his backline moving forward.
