Arteta backs Saliba’s readiness to return for Arsenal at Slavia Prague

Mikel Arteta is confident that William Saliba is ready to make his first appearance of the season for Arsenal after he played 45 minutes of a match behind closed doors last week.

The France defender started training on his own last month after the back injury he sustained at the World Cup but has since resumed full training and on Tuesday travelled with Arsenal’s squad to face Slavia Prague. It remains to be seen whether Saliba will feature in the Czech capital given such a lengthy absence, although Arteta insisted that he has no doubts the 25-year-old is primed to return.