‘BRILLIANT News!’ ‘Strikers Are Already Worried’ Fans React As Arsenal Star Pencils In Comeback Date
Arsenal centre-back William Saliba is targeting a return in November, according to reports in the French media.
The 25-year-old has been sidelined with a back injury since July, and there were suggestions that he may only be available again in December.
However, L’Equipe claim that Saliba is now stepping up his rehabilitation, taking part in physiotherapy sessions and running out on the grass as he builds up his fitness.
The ideal scenario would be a return for one of the three games after the November international break, and fans on X are excited by the prospect of Saliba making his comeback:
BRILLIANT news!
I hope the decision to not have the back surgery proves to be the right one ❤️👍
— MotownGooner75 🎶🏅 (@feliciacoltony1) October 1, 2026
🙏please🙏please🙏please be careful and don’t rush back too soon.
— Daniel Pfalzgraf (@PfalzCity) October 1, 2026
Great news.
— Big Willy (@Salibasexual02) October 1, 2026
Best cb in world baaacccckkk EPL strikers are already worried by this news
— M (@ancoiafc) October 1, 2026
Arsenal can survive without almost anyone in that squad.
Saliba is the exception. He’s their most irreplaceable player.
— AmazingAyeni™ ☆ (@DazzlingAdmirer) October 1, 2026
Saliba will be mindful about potential setbacks
There is an increased risk of relapse with back injuries. Manchester United’s Matthijs de Ligt has been out for 10 months with a similar problem, but the decision to delay surgery ended up costing him.
Saliba has also opted against undergoing the knife, but there is hope that his recovery will be smoother.
Latest Arsenal injury news
You can read a more detailed overview of the club’s injuries here, but to summarise, captain Martin Odegaard sustained an ankle injury in Norway’s defeat to Portugal last weekend, but he returned to the squad for the Nations League fixture against Wales on Thursday night.
Declan Rice is managing nerve pain in his hamstring. He has been carrying the issue for several months, and he didn’t link up with England to help him recover. The midfielder is expected to return for Arsenal’s next game against Leeds after the international break.
Cristhian Mosquera (muscular) is likely to be available for the match a week on Saturday too, but there are doubts about the fitness of Kai Havertz, who injured his hamstring on international duty, and Ben White, who picked up a groin issue against Sunderland last month.