Mikel Arteta faces a major selection headache in defence as William Saliba returns to full fitness, challenging the established partnership of Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes. The Arsenal manager must weigh the return of a key title-winner against the impressive form of a new signing who has helped the team to the top of the Premier League standings. The Gunners sit first in the Premier League on 24 points after nine games, holding a three-point lead over Manchester City.
Saliba, the 25-year-old French international, has not played competitively for Arsenal this season after suffering a back injury in France's World Cup semi-final last year. He returned to full training on November 2 and could make his comeback in the Champions League. Arteta confirmed the defender is ready. "He's in a really good place," the manager said.
His return creates a dilemma because Ezri Konsa, the £55 million signing from Aston Villa, has settled quickly. The 29-year-old England international has started seven of Arsenal's nine league games, forming a solid unit with Gabriel. In the 10 matches Konsa has started in all competitions, the pair have kept six clean sheets. Arsenal have conceded just five goals in the nine Premier League games since his arrival, a key reason they sit first with 24 points, three clear of Manchester City. The team's defensive record is part of an overall tally of 14 goals scored and only five conceded this season.
Displacing Konsa risks disrupting a defence that has been fundamental to Arsenal's strong start. The team's recent form reads three wins and two draws from their last five, including a 2-1 Champions League victory at Slavia Praha on November 4 where Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres scored the goals. This followed a 1-0 league win at Liverpool on November 1, secured by a goal from Kai Havertz, who is the club's top scorer this season with three goals. Saliba and Gabriel were the partnership that delivered the Premier League title last season, and Saliba has been named in the PFA Team of the Year for four consecutive years. Arteta also has the option to use Konsa at right-back, while Saliba's return could limit opportunities for young defender Cristhian Mosquera.
With key Champions League games against Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid on the horizon, Arteta's defensive decisions will be scrutinised more than ever. The immediate focus, however, is a Premier League trip to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, November 11, where the Gunners will look to extend their lead at the top.
More detail at Daily Mirror Football
