Arsenal handed encouraging William Saliba update after months on sidelines

Arsenal have received an encouraging injury update after William Saliba returned to the training pitch as he steps up his recovery from a long-term back problem.

The France international has been sidelined since aggravating the injury during his country’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain on July 14.

According to L’Equipe, Saliba has now resumed individual work on the grass and is targeting a return to competitive action at the beginning of November.

The 25-year-old has been working through a carefully managed rehabilitation programme after Arsenal and the player decided against surgery during the summer.

Saliba had experienced back discomfort for several months before the World Cup and was already being carefully managed towards the end of Arsenal’s title-winning 2025/26 campaign.

The problem intensified during the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain before continuing to trouble him while representing France at the World Cup.

Saliba nevertheless played through the discomfort until the semi-final against Spain, when he was forced off after just 28 minutes.

Arsenal subsequently conducted extensive assessments and announced in July that surgery was not recommended, with the centre-back instead beginning a prolonged period of treatment and rehabilitation.

His return to the grass therefore represents an important milestone, although Arsenal are unlikely to rush one of their most important defenders back into first-team action.

Saliba has not played competitively for the Gunners since last season and will need to rebuild his fitness before Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta can consider him for selection.

There had recently been suggestions that the Frenchman might not return until December, making the latest indication of an early-November comeback particularly encouraging.

Saliba’s absence has forced Arsenal to rely on their considerable defensive depth during the opening months of their Premier League title defence.

Arteta has also had to contend with fitness issues involving Jurrien Timber and Cristhian Mosquera, while summer arrival Ezri Konsa has quickly become an important option in central defence.

The international break provides Arsenal with valuable time to continue Saliba’s rehabilitation without the pressure of preparing him for an immediate fixture.

France have also left the defender out of their latest squad, allowing his recovery to remain under Arsenal’s supervision.

There is still no firm date for Saliba’s return, and his progress will depend on how his back responds as his workload increases.

However, getting back onto the training pitch represents his clearest step towards competitive football since suffering the setback in July.

The post Arsenal handed encouraging William Saliba update after months on sidelines first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.