The Aporia
The Aporia
Verri, M. (2026, November 3). William Saliba: Arsenal handed huge injury boost as defender returns to training. Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/william-saliba-arsenal-fc-training-arteta-b1303373.html
Verri, Matt. “William Saliba: Arsenal handed huge injury boost as defender returns to training.” Evening Standard, 3 Nov. 2026, https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/william-saliba-arsenal-fc-training-arteta-b1303373.html.
Verri, Matt. “William Saliba: Arsenal handed huge injury boost as defender returns to training.” Evening Standard, November 3, 2026. https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/william-saliba-arsenal-fc-training-arteta-b1303373.html.
Dated from the outlet's own feed. Check the original for its byline.
William Saliba, a key defender for Arsenal, has returned to full training after being sidelined since the World Cup semifinal in October. The 25-year-old Frenchman was injured during France's match against Spain and missed the entire season so far due to a back injury that required an extended period of rehabilitation but no surgery. Saliba, who is known for his strong defensive skills and ball-playing abilities, has been out since being substituted off in the first half of the World Cup semifinal.
Since Saliba’s absence, Ezri Konsa has seamlessly filled in at center back alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, helping Arsenal maintain a tight defense that conceded just five goals in nine games. This performance by Konsa and Magalhaes has left manager Mikel Arteta with the challenging decision of whether to reintegrate Saliba into the starting lineup or keep the current defensive partnership intact.
Arsenal faces Hull on Saturday before a two-week international break, providing Saliba more time to regain full fitness. The team's upcoming Champions League match against Slavia Prague also factors into Arteta’s considerations regarding Saliba’s return to competitive play.
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