William Saliba is back in full training after missing the season so far with a back injury, leaving Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to consider how the defender will fit into a backline that has performed strongly without him.
Saliba had been managing the problem last season and was referred to a specialist after the World Cup. Surgery was not considered necessary, but he underwent a lengthy rehabilitation without a set return date. He had been training individually before rejoining the first team ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League meeting with Slavia Prague.
In his absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa has formed an effective partnership with Gabriel Magalhães. Arsenal have conceded five goals in nine Premier League matches, and Konsa has started seven of them. Arteta has described the defender’s adaptation to the team as “unbelievable.”
Saliba and Gabriel were central to Arsenal’s league title last season, when the club conceded 27 goals. Saliba was also named in the PFA Team of the Year for the fourth consecutive time. Arsenal have said they will take a cautious approach to his return.
One option for Arteta is to bring Saliba back alongside Gabriel and move Konsa to right-back. Konsa has played there for England, while Ben White and Jurrien Timber have been Arsenal’s first-choice options in that position this season. Both are considered dependable choices, and White has been available for all but one of the club’s matches this campaign.
Saliba’s return could also reduce playing time for young centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, who has recovered from a hamstring injury but has featured only sparingly so far. Arsenal played 63 matches in all competitions last season, and Arteta will have opportunities to rotate his defensive options as the club pursues domestic and European success.
Sources: BBC Sport.