Photo: goal.com
Saliba is back, just in time for Europe
William Saliba is back, and Mikel Arteta isn't hiding how much Arsenal missed him. The France international has been cleared to return against Slavia Prague in the Europa League after weeks out with a back injury picked up on international duty, and a behind-closed-doors run-out last week was enough to convince his manager he's ready to go again.
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The green light
Arteta confirmed Saliba came through 45 minutes of a private friendly unscathed, the kind of low-key fitness test clubs use when they want proof before they'll risk a player in a competitive fixture. According to the Guardian, that was enough for Arteta to back his readiness to feature at Slavia Prague, with no hedging about a gradual reintroduction from the bench.
Why it matters right now
Losing Saliba to a back injury picked up away with France was the kind of absence that tends to show up in squad depth charts long before it shows up on a scoreline. Arsenal's defence has had to cover for one of its most important pieces, and the timing of his return, right as the Europa League campaign picks up, takes some of the pressure off a backline that's managed without him for weeks.
First minutes of the season
Per the Guardian, Slavia Prague would mark Saliba's first appearance of the campaign, which is exactly why Arteta wanted eyes on a closed-doors run-out before trusting him in a competitive fixture. There's no easing-in talk from the manager, just a straightforward green light for a player Arsenal have missed since the injury picked up on international duty.
What happens at Slavia Prague
Whether he starts or is managed off the bench in Prague, the mere fact he's available again changes the calculation for a manager who has spent weeks without his first-choice centre-back pairing intact.
Will Saliba start against Slavia Prague or come off the bench?
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