William Saliba has returned to full first-team training at Arsenal, giving manager Mikel Arteta a welcome but difficult selection problem as the Gunners chase the title and European success.
The 25-year-old has missed the entire season so far with a back injury that forced his early withdrawal from France’s World Cup semi-final loss to Spain. He had been managing the problem throughout last season, but after the World Cup he was sent to see a specialist. It was decided that he would not need surgery, but he will require a lengthy rehabilitation, and no timescale for his return was set.
Saliba has now rejoined full training before Arsenal’s Champions League meeting with Slavia Prague and a busy festive schedule. He had been doing individual work at the club’s base until now.
Konsa’s excellent start
In Saliba’s absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa has stepped in seamlessly. Arsenal paid £55m to bring the England international from Aston Villa, and he has formed a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes. Arsenal again have the league’s tightest defence, conceding just five goals in nine games.
Konsa has started seven of Arsenal’s nine Premier League matches. He joined just hours before the opening game against Coventry and came on against his former club Aston Villa on debut. Arteta has described the way Konsa has settled in as “unbelievable”. The 29-year-old scored the opener in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton and delivered another commanding performance as the Gunners beat Liverpool at Anfield for the first time in 14 years.
Konsa made 286 appearances for Villa after joining from Brentford in July 2019, and he helped them win the Europa League in May. He started seven of England’s eight games at the World Cup, including the quarter-final against Norway at right back, a detail that could offer a clue to his Arsenal future.
What could Arteta do?
Saliba and Gabriel were a huge reason Arsenal won the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years last season. Their partnership anchored a team that conceded only 27 league goals, and Saliba was named in the PFA team of the year for the fourth consecutive time.
When Saliba is fit enough to return to selection, Arteta will have to leave someone out. Ben White and Jurrien Timber have been Arsenal’s first-choice right backs this season, and both are dependable. Konsa could move to right back, a position he also played for England, which would allow Saliba to return alongside Gabriel in his usual spot. Arteta values physicality, and Konsa’s imposing presence would give opposing attackers a stern test on that flank.
Saliba’s return also reduces opportunities for young centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, whose limited minutes this season raise questions about his future, even though he has recovered from a hamstring injury.
Arsenal hosts Hull on Saturday before the international break. That window gives Saliba time to build up his fitness. With Arsenal having played 63 games in all competitions last season, and Arteta aiming to defend the title and win in Europe, there will be plenty of matches for him to rotate his options.