William Saliba travels with Arsenal squad for Slavia Prague match

William Saliba Travels With Arsenal Squad for Champions League Match Against Slavia Prague

William Saliba has travelled with the Arsenal squad for Wednesday night’s UEFA Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague after returning to full training from a back injury. The 25-year-old French defender has missed the entire season so far after sustaining the problem during France’s World Cup semi-final defeat against Spain in July. Saliba's return provides manager Mikel Arteta with a defensive boost ahead of a congested fixture list, though the club has not yet decided whether to risk him immediately on Wednesday or during upcoming domestic matches. While Saliba has spent three and a half months working his way back to fitness, Arsenal face Slavia Prague and Hull before Premier League action resumes with a trip to Newcastle on 21 November. During Saliba's absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa has stepped in smoothly alongside Gabriel Magalhaes following a £55m transfer from Aston Villa. Konsa and Gabriel have forged a formidable partnership that has helped Arsenal claim the league’s tightest defence, conceding just five goals in nine games. Arteta described the way the former Villa man has adapted as “unbelievable”. Despite missing a player who has made four consecutive PFA Team of the Year appearances and was recently voted the 29th best player in the world, Arsenal’s defensive resilience has removed any immediate pressure to rush Saliba back into the starting lineup. Saliba’s last competitive appearance for the club came during the Champions League final in Budapest, where Arsenal suffered a penalty shootout defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. The centre-back could potentially be available for selection when Premier League play resumes with an away fixture against Newcastle United on November 21.