William Saliba is back in Arsenal first-team training — and Mikel Arteta suddenly faces the best kind of problem: how to fit a £55 million defensive reshuffle into the Premier League’s meanest backline.
William Saliba (Credits: BBC Sport)
Saliba Arsenal Return: Arteta’s Defensive Dilemma Explained
The France international has missed the entire campaign so far with a back injury that followed his early withdrawal from France’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain. Saliba had been managing the issue throughout last season before being sent to a specialist after the tournament. Surgery was ruled out, but the rehabilitation was lengthy — no timescale was ever set.
He has now returned to full training ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Slavia Prague, just as a hectic festive schedule looms.
Ezri Konsa Has Made Arteta’s Decision Even Harder
In Saliba’s absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa has been nothing short of sensational. The £55m arrival from Aston Villa has started seven of Arsenal’s nine league matches, striking up a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes. Arsenal have conceded just five goals in nine games — the tightest defence in the league.
Arteta has called Konsa’s adaptation “unbelievable.” The 29-year-old England international scored the opener in the 2-0 win over Everton and starred as the Gunners beat Liverpool at Anfield for the first time in 14 years.
Saliba, of course, was the bedrock of last season’s title triumph — the Gunners’ first league crown in 22 years — with his partnership with Gabriel conceding just 27 league goals. The 25-year-old was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the fourth straight season.
Who Makes Way When Saliba Returns?
Arsenal have always stressed caution with Saliba’s comeback, and the upcoming international break should give him time to build sharpness. But when he is ready, Arteta will have to disappoint someone.
Ben White and Jurrien Timber have both been dependable at right-back this season, while Konsa’s England duty in the World Cup quarter-final against Norway came at right-back — a potential hint at his long-term role. However it plays out, it is a selection headache every other manager in Europe would envy.
Also Read: How Arteta Is Getting the Best From Rice: Five Assists, a New Role and the End of the Lighthouse
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
