Mikel Arteta has provided an update on William Saliba ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash after the Frenchman returned to team training

William Saliba is available to play for Arsenal against Slavia Praha in the Champions League. Mikel Arteta revealed that the central defender is fit enough to make his return, and whether he features will depend on what the team needs.

Saliba was present for Arsenal's training session on Tuesday morning before the Gunners travelled to face Slavia Praha in the Champions League. The 25-year-old returned to the grass last month and has now taken a further positive step on his road to recovery.

The Frenchman has yet to feature for Arteta this season after suffering a back injury during the World Cup with Les Bleus. Saliba was able to avoid surgery but has required careful rehabilitation to reach this stage.

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The Arsenal star featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week, playing 45 minutes. Arteta is happy to have Saliba back at his disposal, admitting recoveries don't usually go as smoothly.

"He's in a really good place," Arteta said in his press conference. "The process and the time and the manner that the injury has been dealt with and the feelings he has had along the way, they've been very positive. "His evolution has been as expected, which is not always the case. He feels very comfortable; he played 45 minutes behind closed last week. He feels ready to go.

"Whether we use him or not is a matter of what the team needs."

The Spaniard added that it was now time for Saliba to take the final step following rigorous rehabilitation, and that the former St Etienne star is eager to return.

"I think he feels desperate and very loved," Arteta added. "He is very admired and very liked, he creates something special and that's his nature. Now we need to give him

"Now you are in or not, he's in like everyone else, all the preparation is done to measure all of the loads and steps to minimise risk. Now he's in a really good place, he's built the capacity that is needed.

"Now it's about giving him minutes. He is a centre-back and when that is the case, it's not like an attacking midfielder you can change, a centre-back normally has to play 90 minutes. That is why we completed all of the preparation we did to build him."