William Saliba available again as Arteta considers Wednesday call-up

William Saliba is available again after a back injury, but his involvement against Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday is not yet certain. His manager, Mikel Arteta, could call him up for the match. Saliba finished the 2026 World Cup in July with severe back pain; his return to group training marks his first public appearance on the pitch since the competition.

The 25-year-old took part in a team training session in the morning. Arteta confirmed that Saliba was available, while stressing that selection and any decision to play him would depend on the team’s needs. “He is available, like any other player,” Arteta said on Tuesday, the day before Arsenal’s European fixture.

The manager also said Saliba had played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors match last week and felt “ready to return to competition”. He nevertheless made clear that availability did not guarantee a place in the side: “Now, whether we play him or not depends on the needs of the team.” Arteta was also encouraged by the rehabilitation process and the player’s progress, saying that Saliba felt very good.

Saliba’s return comes after Arsenal signed Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa during the off-season, in part to provide cover for the French defender. Konsa has made a strong start to the season alongside Gabriel, Saliba’s usual partner in central defence. Arteta described the added depth at centre-back as a welcome resource rather than a problem. “Until now, we haven’t had that luxury. I wouldn’t call it a problem,” he said with a laugh.

The immediate question is therefore whether Saliba will be selected for Wednesday’s match, not whether he is fit to return. Arsenal have said they will manage his comeback cautiously, while Arteta praised the way Konsa has settled into the team, calling it “unbelievable”.

The injury had already interrupted Saliba’s time on the pitch. Last season, he had been managing his back problem before seeing a specialist after the World Cup. Also last season, according to BBC Sport, Saliba and Gabriel played a major part in Arsenal’s Premier League title; their partnership helped underpin a defence that conceded only 27 league goals. Arsenal are top of the Premier League this season, with Konsa stepping in during Saliba’s absence. The defender’s return to full training gives Arteta another option in the centre of defence, but does not confirm that Saliba will feature on Wednesday.