Arsenal have been handed a major injury boost regarding star defender William Saliba, with the France international nearing a full recovery
Arsenal defender William Saliba
Arsenal defender William Saliba
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Arsenal have been handed a major injury boost regarding star defender William Saliba, with the France international nearing a full recovery
Saliba has yet to play for Arsenal this season because of a long-term back injury that worsened while he was on World Cup duty with France.
The absence has stretched across the opening months of the campaign.
The problem forced him off after 30 minutes of France’s World Cup semi-final against Spain on 14 July. He had reportedly been managing the issue for some time, playing through pain as Arsenal chased the Premier League title.
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Arsenal confirmed he had a back injury needing a period of rehabilitation, and said surgery was not recommended. The club said he would follow a managed recovery programme.
In August, Arteta said Saliba was in “rest mode” and had done almost nothing for two weeks. In his absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa has partnered Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence.
According to Hand of Arsenal, Saliba has returned to first team training for Arsenal.
🚨BREAKING: William Saliba has returned to first team training for Arsenal.
[@HandofArsenal] https://t.co/kQBymuvQ76
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) November 2, 2026
Arteta has earlier confirmed that Saliba had been training individually for more than a week, with the club managing his load. He said they were still talking about weeks and called it a very specific injury.
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On 16 October, Arteta said Saliba would have another MRI the following week. He added that every sign so far had been very, very positive.
Arsenal managed without him again on Sunday. They won 1-0 at Liverpool through a Kai Havertz goal, their first league win at Anfield since 2012. Saliba was listed among their unavailable players.
The result left Arsenal three points clear at the top of the Premier League. They visit Slavia Praha in the Champions League on Wednesday and host Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The international break follows.
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
Slavia Prague - Tomas Chory
Slavia Prague - Tomas Chory