Saliba back in Arsenal training after nearly four months out with back injury

William Saliba has returned to Arsenal's first-team training after nearly four months out with a back injury, Reuters reported on Tuesday 3 November, handing the Premier League leaders a timely lift at the start of a busy week.

The France international had not played at all in the 2026-27 season before rejoining the group on Tuesday 3 November, according to BBC Sport, which reported that he was now approaching a return to competitive action.

Sky Sports also reported on his first session with the first team since the injury he sustained during the World Cup.

Injury traced to the World Cup

Saliba's last match was France's World Cup semi-final against Spain, in which he was substituted in the 30th minute. BBC Sport reported that Spain won the tie, and that the back problem ended Saliba's tournament there and then.

The Associated Press put his return to full training at three and a half months after that game.

According to BBC Sport, Saliba had managed the back problem throughout the 2025-26 season, one that ended with Arsenal confirming on Tuesday 19 May that they had won the Premier League title with a match to spare. After the World Cup he was referred to a specialist.

The decision that followed was that surgery was unnecessary but that Saliba would need lengthy rehabilitation, BBC Sport reported. The Associated Press said Arsenal had set out the same position in July: no operation, but an extended rehabilitation period.

Saliba did not go under the knife. Instead he trained individually at Arsenal's training base, BBC Sport reported, before stepping back into full training on Tuesday 3 November.

Arteta's patience

Arsenal gave an update on Friday 16 October, saying Saliba was recovering from a back injury that had kept him out since the end of France's World Cup campaign. He was rehabbing away from the rest of the squad, the club said, and the signs of progress were very positive.

Mikel Arteta struck the same note. "I think next week we have another MRI with him to see how the healing process is at the moment, but every sign so far has been very, very positive," the Arsenal manager said.

Less than three weeks after that club update, Saliba was back with his team-mates on the grass.

The timing could hardly be better for the champions. Arsenal went to Anfield on Sunday 1 November and beat Liverpool 1-0, a result that put them three points clear at the top of the Premier League, according to ESPN.