William Saliba has returned to first-team training at Arsenal, giving manager Mikel Arteta a welcome but difficult selection problem in defence. The France international has missed the entire season so far with a back injury that flared after he left France’s World Cup semi-final loss to Spain early.
Saliba was a key figure in the Gunners‘ title win last season, when they won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years. He and regular partner Gabriel formed the bedrock of a team that conceded only 27 league goals. Saliba was then named in the PFA Team of the Year for the fourth consecutive time.
In his absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa has stepped in seamlessly. Arsenal have again built the league’s tightest defence, conceding just five goals in nine games.
Konsa’s excellent start
Arsenal spent £55m to sign Konsa from Aston Villa, and some questioned whether the club needed another centre-back given its existing depth. The England international has answered those doubts. He has started seven of Arsenal’s nine Premier League matches and has been one of the club’s best players as they sit top of the table.
Konsa joined just hours before the opening match against Coventry and came on against former club Aston Villa for his debut. Arteta has described the way he has settled in as “unbelievable”. Konsa scored the opener in the 2-0 win over Everton and gave another commanding display as Arsenal beat Liverpool at Anfield for the first time in 14 years on Sunday.
Some observers have even suggested that Konsa and Gabriel have become the best partnership in world football. Konsa made 286 appearances for Villa, helping them win the Europa League in May, the club’s first European trophy since 1982. He has also become a first-choice starter for England, playing in seven of the eight games they played at the World Cup.
What could Arteta do?
Saliba’s return to full training, after previously working individually at Arsenal’s base, comes ahead of a Champions League meeting with Slavia Prague and a busy festive schedule. Arsenal host Hull on Saturday before the next international break. That window will give Saliba time to build his fitness, although the club has said it will be cautious with his return. Saliba had been managing his back issue throughout last season before a specialist advised against surgery, but he will require a lengthy rehabilitation. No timescale for his return has been set.
When Saliba is fit, 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 options. One possible solution is to move Konsa to right-back, a position he also played in his England debut and started in against Norway at the World Cup quarter-final. That would allow Saliba to return alongside Gabriel in his usual spot, and Konsa’s physical presence would give opposition attackers a formidable challenge.
Saliba’s return also reduces the playing time available to young centre-back Cristhian Mosquera. He has recovered from a hamstring injury, but his limited minutes this season will raise questions about his future. With Arsenal having played 63 games in all competitions last season and aiming to defend their title and succeed in Europe this time, Arteta will need every one of his defensive options.