Saliba return date emerges after key rehab milestone

Credit: Getty Images

William Saliba has started running for the first time since suffering the back injury that has kept him out of Arsenal's season so far, and he is targeting a return to competitive action in November.

Arsenal announced in July that the Frenchman would be sidelined for an ‘extended period’ after he returned from the World Cup with a back problem. Saliba lasted just 30 minutes of France's semi-final defeat to eventual winners Spain before being forced off.

There were early fears that surgery would be required, but the club confirmed that would not be necessary, with the 25-year-old instead needing a lengthy period of rehabilitation.

Painkillers and daily treatment

According to L'Equipe, Saliba was taking painkillers to get through much of the end of last season and the World Cup, and was often unable to move freely for between 24 and 48 hours after matches.

The same report states the defender has been receiving daily treatment and massages alongside physical work with Arsenal's physiotherapists, with the club taking a deliberately cautious approach to his recovery.

‘He knows he has to take his time,’ Saliba's entourage told the French outlet. ‘He's suffered too much and wants to come back at 100 per cent.’

Saliba has now swapped cycling for running, and L'Equipe report that the timing of his comeback will depend on how his body responds over the coming weeks. If the current trajectory holds, November is the target. He is using the international break to rest in Ile-de-France.

Konsa holding the fort

In Saliba's absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa has stepped into the back line and started the champions' last three Premier League matches alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.

Mikel Arteta had already urged patience when asked about the defender in the summer. ‘He is in rest mode at the moment,’ the Arsenal head coach said. ‘He had to do almost nothing, an aggravated injury, so it's going to take some time to heal. We know that. As soon as we have more news, we can inform you.’

Saliba has made 184 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal since joining in 2019, winning a Premier League title and two Community Shields, as well as collecting runners-up medals in the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

The France international has been named in the PFA Team of the Year in each of the last four seasons and has twice featured among the Ballon d'Or nominees, underlining what Arteta has been without at the heart of his defence.

For now, the running work represents the clearest sign of progress since the injury was first announced, and the next few weeks of training load will determine whether that November target holds.