# Arteta backs Saliba’s readiness to return for Arsenal at Slavia Prague

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/arteta-backs-salibas-readiness-to-return-for-arsenal-at-slavia-prague/
- Published: 2026-11-03T20:31:58+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T21:16:24+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/nov/03/arteta-backs-salibas-readiness-to-return-for-arsenal-at-slavia-prague
- Topics: Entertainment, Europe, Sport, TV, World

## Key points

- Saliba has travelled with Arsenal to face Slavia Prague.
- Arteta says the defender is ready after a lengthy injury absence.
- His return gives Arteta more defensive selection options.

## Summary

Mikel Arteta says William Saliba is ready to return for Arsenal after a long absence with a back injury, and has travelled with the squad to face Slavia Prague. The centre-back could make his first appearance of the season, though it remains unclear whether he will play in the Czech capital.

Saliba resumed full training after working alone last month and played 45 minutes in a closed-doors match last week. Arteta said the club had carefully built up his workload and that the 25-year-old was ready for minutes, while noting that centre-backs usually need to be able to play a full match. His return adds to Arteta’s defensive selection options after Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhães impressed against Liverpool; 16-year-old Max Dowman is also in contention.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.