William Saliba has returned to first-team training at Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta now faces a welcome defensive dilemma. The France international has missed the entire season so far because of a back injury that he first picked up in France’s World Cup semi-final loss to Spain, when he was withdrawn early.
Saliba, 25, has been one of the Premier League’s top defenders in recent seasons. In his absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa has stepped in seamlessly and helped Arsenal return to the top of the table.
Konsa makes his mark
Since Konsa arrived from Aston Villa for £55m, he and Gabriel Magalhaes have formed a formidable partnership. Arsenal again boast the league’s tightest defence, conceding just five goals in nine games.
Arsenal had seven senior defenders when they signed Konsa, so some questioned whether the club needed the investment. The centre-back has answered those doubts. He has started seven of Arsenal’s nine Premier League matches, having joined just hours before the opening game against Coventry and come on against former club Aston Villa on his debut. Arteta has described the way Konsa has settled in as “unbelievable”. Some have even suggested that Konsa and Gabriel have become the best partnership in world football.
Konsa spent six years at Villa, making 286 appearances after joining from Brentford in July 2019. He helped Villa win the Europa League in May, the club’s first European trophy since 1982. He is also a first-choice starter for England and played in seven of the eight games the Three Lions played at the World Cup. He started the quarter-final against Norway at right-back, a detail that could prove significant for his Arsenal future. He scored the opener in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton and produced another commanding display as the Gunners beat Liverpool at Anfield for the first time in 14 years.
Saliba’s road back
Saliba had managed his back problem throughout last season, but he was sent to a specialist after the World Cup. It was decided that he would not need surgery, but he would require a lengthy rehabilitation, and no timescale for his return was set. He had been training individually at Arsenal’s base, but he has now returned to full training ahead of their Champions League meeting with Slavia Prague and a busy festive schedule.
Saliba and Gabriel were central to Arsenal winning the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years last season. Their partnership formed the bedrock of Arteta’s side, which conceded only 27 league goals. Saliba was named in the PFA team of the year for the fourth consecutive time. Arsenal have stressed that they will be cautious with his return.
Arteta’s selection problem
Arsenal host Hull on Saturday, and the next international break begins this month. That gap will give Saliba time to build his fitness before he becomes a regular option again. When he does, Arteta will have to leave someone out.
Ben White and Jurrien Timber have been Arsenal’s first-choice right-backs this season and are dependable at the top level. Both have had fitness issues in the past, but White has been available for all but one of Arsenal’s games this campaign. One solution would be to move Konsa to right-back, the position he also played on his England debut. That would let Saliba slot back in alongside Gabriel. Arteta values physicality, and Konsa’s imposing presence would give opposition attackers a stern test on the flank.
Saliba’s return also reduces the chances of young centre-back Cristhian Mosquera getting game time. His limited minutes so far this season raise questions about his future, even though he has recovered from a hamstring injury. With Arsenal having played 63 games in all competitions last season, en route to winning the league and reaching the Champions League final, and with Arteta aiming to defend the title and go deep in Europe, there will be plenty of matches for him to rotate his options.