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Arsenal injury boost as William Saliba returns to first-team training

By on November 4, 2026

Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has returned to first-team training after a lengthy layoff on the sidelines in a massive boost to Mikel Arteta, according to the BBC.

The 25-year-old suffered an injury in the semi-final clash against Spain at the World Cup and has since been on the treatment table.

A statement from Arsenal in July revealed the Frenchman had suffered a back injury and was ‘expected to be out of action for an extended period. ‘

However, in a major boost for Arteta, Saliba is nearing a return to the pitch, as the BBC claims the four-time PFA Team of the Year honouree is back in first-team training.

The report adds that the France international dealt with a back problem throughout last season before being referred to a specialist after the World Cup.

Surgery was ultimately ruled out, although the defender was told he would need an extended period of rehabilitation with no specific date given for his return, according to the report.

He had been working individually at Arsenal’s Sobha Realty Training Centre but has now rejoined the first-team group ahead of their Champions League clash with Slavia Prague, BBC adds.

In a separate report, Football London claims Saliba has been on the grass since early October and even played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week.

Speaking at his pre-Slavia Praha conference, Arteta provided further updates on Saliba’s recovery and hinted that he’s match-ready and could play against the nine-time Czech First League champion.

Boost

‘He’s in a really good place,’ Arteta revealed at his pre-match press conference as per Football London.

‘The process and the time and the manner that the injury has been dealt with and the feelings he has had along the way – they’ve been very positive.

‘His evolution has been as expected, which is not always the case. He feels very comfortable; he played 45 minutes behind closed doors last week. He feels ready to go. Whether we use him or not is a matter of what the team needs.’

‘I think he feels desperate and very loved,’ Arteta added.

‘He is very admired and very liked; he creates something special, and that’s his nature.  Now you are in or not, he’s in like everyone else; all the prep is done. Now he’s in a really good place; he’s built the capacity that is needed.’

Saliba’s return means that Arteta is spoilt for choice at centre-back and faces a selection headache. Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes have been the manager’s preferred pairing, and the duo have been nothing short of exceptional, recently restricting Liverpool to zero shots on target as Arsenal ended their 14-year winless streak at Anfield.