Rival teams and supporters will be delighted to hear that William Saliba is back in full training at Arsenal, strengthening a defence that has remained the best at home and in Europe without him.
Having struggled with a back injury in the closing stages of last season and throughout France’s World Cup campaign, the centre-back has spent the last three and a half months working his way back to fitness.
He probably needs a few more sessions under his belt, but could be available for selection before the Interlull. Whether Arsenal risk him in the next few days – we face Slavia Prague tomorrow and Hull on Saturday – remains to be seen. The hope is that he’ll be firing on all cylinders when Premier League action resumes with a trip to Newcastle on 21 November.
With 10 games to squeeze in between the international break and the end of the year, Mikel Arteta will certainly welcome another option.
So far, Gabriel and new signing Ezri Konsa have largely held the fort, with Cristhian Mosquera and Marli Salmon providing support in the League Cup. Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White and Jurrien Timber can also play centrally, so we’re hardly short of cover.
Will Saliba, recently voted the 29th best player in the world, walk straight back into the side? Ezri might have something to say about that, but it’s nice to know we can afford to take our time.
More importantly, will the club take another squad photo? Arteta promised they would, although William might want to spruce up a bit; he looks like he’s just rolled out of bed.