Saliba resumes training; Konsa switch an option

William Saliba gave Arsenal a major lift by joining the final training session on Tuesday ahead of the Champions League tie with Slavia Prague, having missed every minute since limping off at the half‑hour mark of France’s World Cup semi‑final against Spain.

Medical update and training progress

He was examined by specialists for a back problem; doctors ruled out surgery but prescribed an extended period of rest.

Recent weeks have seen Saliba back on the grass, completing individual drills as his rehabilitation advances.

The Standard reported that his first‑team training resumed on Monday and continued without issue on Tuesday morning when the Arsenal squad trained in front of the media.

Mikel Arteta and the squad will fly to Prague later on Wednesday night for the match against Slavia Prague.

It remains undecided whether Saliba will travel, with the club cautious about rushing his return.

Arsenal’s next Premier League fixture is against Hull on Saturday before a two‑week November international break, giving Saliba further time to build fitness.

Saliba’s availability creates a serious selection dilemma for Arteta as the schedule tightens.

Summer signing Ezri Konsa has performed superbly alongside Gabriel Magalhães and is regarded as Arsenal’s best player this season.

Konsa’s strong form means Arteta can reintroduce Saliba without taking major fitness risks.

William Saliba returns to Arsenal after two years' absence

Options and expert opinion

Saliba returned to full training 3½ months after his World Cup semi‑final appearance, confirming the back injury required rehabilitation but not surgery, as Arsenal announced in July.

He participated in Tuesday’s session, the day before the Champions League fixture at Slavia Prague.

His long‑standing centre‑back partnership with Gabriel Magalhães was pivotal in Arsenal’s Premier League triumph last season.

Arteta is unlikely to thrust Saliba back immediately, preferring not to disrupt the Konsa‑Gabriel pairing that has delivered solid results.

One option is shifting Konsa to right back, a role he occasionally filled at Aston Villa and for England.

Arteta also has Jurrien Timber and Ben White available for the right‑back slot.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand suggested on his YouTube channel that Konsa could move to right back once Saliba is fully fit, praising Saliba as a player you must find room for in the team.

Konsa has started seven of England’s eight World Cup games, cementing his status as a first‑choice defender.

Saliba and Gabriel were key to the Gunners ending a 22‑year wait for the league crown.

Arsenal conceded just 27 league goals last term, with Saliba named in the PFA Team of the Year for a fourth straight season.

Although Ben White and Jurrien Timber usually occupy right back, Konsa’s versatility, demonstrated at Villa under Unai Emery and in England under Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel, makes the switch plausible.

Konsa also rescued England in the 2026 World Cup quarter‑final versus Norway when other options were unavailable.

Arsenal will confirm the travelling squad later on Wednesday, and Saliba’s fitness will shape Arteta’s choices for the Slavia Prague clash and the upcoming domestic fixtures.