Arteta confident Saliba is ready to return for Arsenal against Slavia Prague

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he was confident defender William Saliba was ready to return to action after playing 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors match last week. Saliba travelled with the team to Czechia to face Slavia Prague, but his involvement in the match remained undecided.

Saliba returned to group training after beginning individual training last month following a back injury sustained during the World Cup. Arteta said the club had prepared him gradually to reduce the risks of his return, and that the player was now ready to get minutes, noting that the centre-back position usually requires the ability to play a full match.

Arteta felt Saliba's return would give him more defensive options, following the performances of Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhães in the win over Liverpool. He noted Konsa's ability to play at right-back, with Ben White and Jurrien Timber also competing for the position.

Arteta also said Max Dowman was a candidate to play against Slavia Prague despite his domestic three-match suspension after being sent off against Fleetwood. The manager described the incident as a lesson for everyone, adding that he had spoken with the player at training.