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Saliba returns to Arsenal training before Slavia Prague trip

The France defender has been out since July with a back injury and travelled with the squad to Prague for Wednesday's Champions League tie.

FootVal NewsroomUpdated

Arsenal players sprinting during a training session, one smiling, in navy and red training kit
Arsenal players sprinting during a training session, one smiling, in navy and red training kit · Photo: Evening Standard

William Saliba has returned to full training with Arsenal and travelled with the squad to Prague on Tuesday, according to several outlets. The France centre-back has not played since the World Cup semi-final in July, when a back injury kept him out.

The Guardian reports that Mikel Arteta is confident Saliba is ready, after he played 45 minutes of a behind-closed-doors match last week. RMC Sport reports that he could be called up for the Slavia Prague game on Wednesday.

The return poses a selection question for Arteta. talkSPORT reports that Ezri Konsa, signed from Aston Villa in a £55million move, has made an immediate impact and helped Arsenal keep three consecutive Premier League clean sheets.

Arsenal top the Premier League with 24 points from nine matches after a 1-0 win at Anfield on Sunday, when Kai Havertz scored in the 16th minute. FootVal's valuation of Saliba is €99m, close to his market value of €100m on Transfermarkt, and his contract runs until June 2030.

Sources

This article is based on reports by:

  • L'Équipe — Absent depuis la Coupe du monde, William Saliba de retour à l'entraînement avec Arsenal
  • Evening Standard — William Saliba: Arsenal handed huge injury boost as defender returns to training
  • Mirror — Mikel Arteta handed huge William Saliba injury boost before Arsenal Champions League clash
  • The Sun — Arsenal handed major injury boost as William Saliba returns to training and could play in Champions League TOMORROW
  • BBC Sport — Saliba's back for Arsenal - how does Arteta solve his defensive dilemma?
  • Foot Mercato — Arsenal : William Saliba de retour à l’entraînement
  • talkSPORT — Arsenal given solution to Ezri Konsa vs William Saliba problem as injured star returns to training
  • The Guardian — Arteta backs Saliba’s readiness to return for Arsenal at Slavia Prague
  • ESPN — Saliba 'ready to go' for Arsenal after injury at World Cup
  • RMC Sport — Arsenal: feu vert pour William Saliba, le défenseur français pourrait rejouer avec les Gunners dès cette semaine

Written by the FootVal newsroom from the reports below, with figures from FootVal’s own database. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. · How we report