Arsenal defender William Saliba could make a surprise return to action against Slavia Prague in Wednesday’s Champions League fixture following significant progress in his recovery from injury.
The France international is reportedly in contention for the European encounter and Saturday’s Premier League clash against Hull City, although his availability will depend on how he responds to training.
According to Arsenal insider Hand of Arsenal, Saliba has made a remarkable recovery from his back problem and could be involved sooner than initially anticipated.
Saliba has yet to feature for Arsenal this season after aggravating a long-standing back injury while representing France at the 2026 World Cup.
The 25-year-old suffered the setback during France’s semi-final defeat to Spain, raising concerns that he could face an extended spell on the sidelines.
Arsenal subsequently opted for a conservative treatment approach rather than surgery, with the defender gradually progressing through his rehabilitation programme.
There had been fears that Saliba might not return until much later in the year, but his recovery has reportedly exceeded expectations.
The Frenchman resumed individual training in October before making sufficient progress to rejoin first-team activities.
He could now participate in Arsenal’s open training session on Tuesday, offering a further indication of his readiness ahead of the trip to Prague.
However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is unlikely to take unnecessary risks with the defender, particularly given his lengthy absence from competitive football.
Even if Saliba is passed fit, his involvement against Slavia could be limited as the club carefully manages his return.
His potential availability nevertheless represents a significant boost for Arsenal, who have maintained an impressive defensive record despite his absence.
Summer signing Ezri Konsa has established an effective partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes, helping the Gunners secure another clean sheet in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
That result returned Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table, three points ahead of Manchester City.
Arteta’s side will now look to build on their domestic success when they face Slavia, having collected seven points from their opening three Champions League matches.
Saliba’s return would provide another high-quality option in central defence as Arsenal continue competing on multiple fronts.
However, his participation on Wednesday remains uncertain, with the outcome of the upcoming training sessions expected to determine whether he can be included in the travelling squad.