William Saliba looking on during an Arsenal game
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
William Saliba is back in first-team training after four months out with a back injury, and he could even be involved against Slavia Prague tonight.
That’s obviously great news for Arsenal. But given how well Ezri Konsa and Gabriel have fared in his stead, keeping clean sheets in each of the last three Premier League games, including Sunday’s win at Anfield, it’s also handed Mikel Arteta a huge decision.
We asked fans on Talking Points how they would get Saliba back into the starting XI, and it quickly turned into a proper debate.
Should William Saliba walk straight back in?
For some fans, it’s simple: the players who have kept Arsenal winning up to now this season deserve to keep their places. The Gunners have won 8 of the 10 games Konsa has started in across all competitions.
His job is to pick the best team. The job of the players is to make sure they are in it. Why would Arteta fiddle with anything unless Saliba was adding more value than other options ? If things are going as well as they are, it’s down to Saliba to prove he should be included, or take his chance if one is presented. I doubt Arteta is having sleepless nights.
Others, though, couldn’t disagree more. William Saliba was a key part of last season’s title win, and his partnership with Gabriel has been one of the best in Europe for years. That shouldn’t be forgotten about just because of an impressive two-month period.
chillout stood firm, however, arguing that rewarding form is what keeps a squad hungry: “I’d reward those who were doing the business on the field – otherwise why would anyone go the extra mile?”
The general consensus among Gunners fans, though, is that as good as Konsa has been, Saliba is simply on a different level. So yes, once he’s fully fit, of course the Frenchman should walk back in.
Arsenal fans want Saliba eased back in
Between the two camps, plenty of fans backed a more patient approach. Why rush Saliba back when you have a strong enough solution in Konsa?
Even those who want Saliba back in the side accept Konsa has made it tough. “Love Konsa, he’s been incredible. Probably the signing of the summer,” wrote shamanth.jayaram. “But there’s just this calmness Saliba brings to the team that we lack now. When he’s fully fit, Saliba walks back in.”
Obviously, it’s an incredible luxury to have. Saliba is the best centre-back in the world, but after such a long back injury, and having played through pain for much of last season, Arsenal can’t afford to rush him.
Thanks to Konsa, they don’t have to. Arteta can bring Saliba back gradually, and if he wants all three on the pitch, there’s always the option of Konsa at right-back, a role he’s reportedly already been training for.
Long term, that patience could be crucial, both for Arsenal’s title defence and for Saliba’s career.