“Positive” but patient: Arteta updates Saliba’s back injury, no return date given as defender listed for UCL league phase

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the progress of defender William Saliba, who is recovering from a back injury sustained during the 2026 World Cup. Arteta has stated that Saliba is making positive progress, but has not provided a timeline for his return to action. The 25-year-old French centre-back has been named in Arsenal's Champions League squad for the upcoming league phase, which runs from September to January, but there is no set date for his return.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal's match against Chelsea, Arteta emphasized that the duration of Saliba's absence depends on the healing process, which varies from person to person. He acknowledged that while the progression has been positive in recent weeks, it is essential to respect the appropriate timelines and monitor the injury's response when the defender starts putting load on it.

The manager also gave positive updates on two other Arsenal players: Bruno Guimaraes and Cristhian Mosquera. Guimaraes, who suffered a knock against Villa in the previous game, is expected to be fit for training the following day. However, Mosquera's substitution during the match against Aston Villa was more of a precautionary measure, and Arteta will need to assess his condition during the next training session to determine his availability.

Given the absence of both Saliba and Mosquera, midfielder Ezri Konsa, who was introduced as a substitute in the match against Aston Villa, could potentially make his first start for Arsenal at the Emirates. Arteta confirmed that Konsa is ready to play if required, having debuted from the bench in the previous match. The manager indicated that he will make a selection based on the team's needs during the match.