Saliba's Comeback Sparks Selection Dilemma for Arteta
William Saliba has made his return to first-team training at Arsenal, and that means Mikel Arteta has some tough decisions ahead.
This is a welcome headache for the Gunners' boss, especially considering Saliba's crucial role in last season's title triumph. After missing the entire campaign due to a back injury sustained during France's World Cup semi-final against Spain, the 25-year-old is back and ready to contribute.
Saliba has been a standout performer in the Premier League, but in his absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa has stepped up admirably. The former Aston Villa defender, who joined for £55m, has formed a solid partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes, helping Arsenal to reclaim their spot at the top of the table while boasting the league's best defensive record, conceding just five goals in nine matches.
The French international had been dealing with his back issue throughout last season, requiring specialist attention after the World Cup. Thankfully, surgery wasn’t necessary, but a lengthy rehabilitation process was required, and no definitive timeline for his return was given.
Saliba has been training individually at Arsenal's facilities, but now he's back in full training just in time for their Champions League clash against Slavia Prague, followed by a busy festive schedule.
Last season, Saliba and Gabriel were pivotal in Arsenal's first Premier League title win in over two decades, with their partnership contributing to only 27 goals conceded throughout the league campaign. Saliba's impressive performances earned him a spot in the PFA Team of the Year for the fourth consecutive season.
While the club has been cautious about rushing Saliba back, his return means Arteta will need to make some tough choices about his defensive lineup.
Many questioned the need for Konsa when Arsenal signed him, given their already strong defensive options. But he has quickly become one of the team's standout players this season, and some argue that he and Gabriel have formed the best defensive partnership in world football.
With Saliba sidelined, Konsa has started in seven of Arsenal's nine league matches after joining just before their opening game against Coventry. Arteta has praised Konsa's seamless integration into the squad, calling it "unbelievable."
Konsa's experience at Aston Villa, where he made 286 appearances and helped the club secure the Europa League, has certainly shown through. His strong performances have also earned him a regular spot in the England squad, where he started several matches during the World Cup.
The 29-year-old defender has made his mark at Arsenal, scoring the opener in a 2-0 victory over Everton and playing a key role in their recent win against Liverpool—an Anfield triumph that had been 14 years in the making.
As Arsenal prepares to face Hull next, Saliba’s return will give him more time to regain his fitness before becoming a regular option for Arteta once again.
However, upon Saliba's return, someone will inevitably miss out. Ben White and Jurrien Timber have been the go-to right-backs this season, both reliable and experienced options. While White has been available for nearly all fixtures, Konsa could potentially shift to right-back—a position he has played for England—allowing Saliba to return to his usual spot next to Gabriel.
Arteta values a physically imposing side, and moving Konsa to right-back would pose a significant challenge for opposing attackers. Additionally, Saliba's comeback means fewer opportunities for young centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, who has seen limited game time this season despite recovering from a hamstring injury.
With 63 matches played last season as Arsenal chased both the league title and a Champions League final appearance, Arteta will need to carefully manage his squad to defend their title and make an impact in Europe this time around.
