- Published
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will soon have a big defensive dilemma.
asserted
Arteta → publish → dilemma
That's because William Saliba - a key figure in the Gunners' title win last season - is back in training, having missed the entire campaign so far because of a back injury following his early withdrawal in France's World Cup semi-final loss to Spain.
asserted
Saliba → miss → Spain
The 25-year-old has been one of the Premier League's top defenders in recent seasons but - in his absence - summer signing Ezri Konsa has stepped in seamlessly to help Arsenal back to the top of the table.
Indeed, since Konsa's arrival from Aston Villa for £55m, he and Gabriel Magalhaes have struck up a formidable partnership, with Arsenal again boasting the league's tightest defence, conceding just five goals in nine games.
asserted
Arsenal → step → games
Saliba had been managing his back issue throughout last season but was sent to see a specialist after the World Cup.
asserted
Saliba → manage → Cup
It was decided he did not need to undergo surgery but would require a lengthy rehabilitation.
asserted
he → decide → rehabilitation
No timescale on his return was set.
asserted
timescale → set → return
The France international had been doing individual training at Arsenal's base but has now returned to full training before their Champions League meeting with Slavia Prague and then, a busy festive schedule looming.
asserted
schedule → do → Prague
Saliba and regular partner Gabriel were a huge reason why the Gunners won the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years last season.
asserted
Gunners → win → years
Their partnership was the bedrock of Arteta's team, which conceded only 27 league goals.
asserted
which → concede → goals
Saliba was then named in the PFA team of the year for the fourth consecutive time.
asserted
Saliba → name → time
Arsenal have always said that they will be cautious with Saliba's return but his return to fitness will leave Arteta with some tough choices to make in his backline.
asserted
return → say → backline
Konsa's excellent start
Such was Arsenal's strength in defence, there were questions about whether they needed to sign Konsa when the Gunners decided to spend £55m on the England international.
asserted
Gunners → be → international
But the centre-back has been one of the club's best players this season as they sit top of the Premier League.
asserted
they → sit → League
Some have even suggested Konsa and Gabriel have become the best partnership in world football, external.
uncertain
Konsa → suggest → football
Arsenal already had seven senior defenders when they signed Konsa including one of the most solid and well-established partnerships in world football in Saliba and Gabriel.
asserted
they → have → Saliba
But in Saliba's absence, Konsa has started seven of Arsenal's nine Premier League matches, having joined just hours before their opening match against Coventry before coming on against former club Aston Villa for his debut.
And Arteta has said the way that Konsa has settled for the Gunners has been "unbelievable".
asserted
Konsa → start → Gunners
The defender made 286 appearances for Villa after joining in July 2019 from Brentford and helped them win the Europa League in May, the club's first European trophy since 1982.
uncertain
them → make → 1982
He has established himself as a first-choice starter for England and started seven of the eight games the Three Lions played at the World Cup.
And what could now prove a big clue to his Arsenal future - he started the quarter-final against Norway at right back.
uncertain
he → establish → back
Konsa is an imposing figure, quick across the ground, and his aggression in challenges has impressed supporters.
asserted
aggression → impress → supporters
The 29-year-old scored the opener against Everton in Arsenal's 2-0 win and put in another commanding performance as the Gunners beat Liverpool at Anfield for the first time in 14 years on Sunday.
asserted
Gunners → score → Sunday
What could Arteta do?
uncertain
Arteta → do → What
Arsenal host Hull on Saturday before the next international break starts this month.
asserted
break → host → Saturday
That time will allow Saliba to further build up his fitness before he will become a regular option again for Arteta.
However, when Saliba does return, Arteta is going to have to disappoint someone.
asserted
Arteta → allow → someone
Both have previously had fitness issues but White has been available for all but one of Arsenal's games this campaign.
asserted
White → have → games
Konsa could move to right-back, a position he also made his England debut in, which would allow Saliba to slot in next to Gabriel in his regular spot.
uncertain
Saliba → move → spot
Arteta values physicality in his Arsenal side and moving Konsa, who is physically imposing, to right-back would give opposition attackers a formidable challenge.
asserted
who → value → challenge
Saliba's return also lowers the chance of game time for young centre-back Cristhian Mosquera and his low number of minutes so far this season will raise questions about his future, even though he has recovered from a hamstring injury.
asserted
he → lower → injury
The Gunners played 63 games in all competitions last season as they won the league and reached the Champions League final.
And, with Arteta aiming to defend the title and have European success this time out, there will be a lot of games for him to rotate his many options.
asserted
him → play → options
The Aporia
