Voltar
William Saliba is back in first-team training after four months out with a back injury, and he could even be involved against Slavia Prague tonight.
That’s obviously great news for Arsenal. But given how well Ezri Konsa and Gabriel have fared in his stead, keeping clean sheets in each of the last three Premier League games, including Sunday’s win at Anfield, it’s also handed Mikel Arteta a huge decision.
We asked fans on Talking Points how they would get Saliba back into the starting XI, and it quickly turned into a proper debate.
For some fans, it’s simple: the players who have kept Arsenal winning up to now this season deserve to keep their places. The Gunners have won 8 of the 10 games Konsa has started in across all competitions.
Featured comment
chillout
His job is to pick the best team. The job of the players is to make sure they are in it. Why would Arteta fiddle with anything unless Saliba was adding more value than other options ? If things are going as well as they are, it’s down to Saliba to prove he should be included, or take his chance if one is presented. I doubt Arteta is having sleepless nights.
Join the conversation →
Others, though, couldn’t disagree more. William Saliba was a key part of last season’s title win, and his partnership with Gabriel has been one of the best in Europe for years. That shouldn’t be forgotten about just because of an impressive two-month period.
Featured comment
callum_boyle
Yeah, the formula being Saliba and Gabriel at the back? A Premier League title and a Champions League final last season but he’s going to rip up a partnership that has been going for over three years because of a two month period?
Join the conversation →
chillout stood firm, however, arguing that rewarding form is what keeps a squad hungry: “I’d reward those who were doing the business on the field – otherwise why would anyone go the extra mile?”
The general consensus among Gunners fans, though, is that as good as Konsa has been, Saliba is simply on a different level. So yes, once he’s fully fit, of course the Frenchman should walk back in.
Featured comment
jonathan.gorrie
Got to be Konsa coming out, when Saliba is fully fit. As good as Konsa is, he’s not on Saliba’s level
Join the conversation →
Between the two camps, plenty of fans backed a more patient approach. Why rush Saliba back when you have a strong enough solution in Konsa?
Featured comment
kilham.max
Slow and steady. No need to rush him back with how well Gabriel and Konsa are playing. Gradually increase his workload until he can play a full 90. Perhaps in five games or so he should start alongside Gabriel.
Join the conversation →
Even those who want Saliba back in the side accept Konsa has made it tough. “Love Konsa, he’s been incredible. Probably the signing of the summer,” wrote shamanth.jayaram. “But there’s just this calmness Saliba brings to the team that we lack now. When he’s fully fit, Saliba walks back in.”
Obviously, it’s an incredible luxury to have. Saliba is the best centre-back in the world, but after such a long back injury, and having played through pain for much of last season, Arsenal can’t afford to rush him.
Thanks to Konsa, they don’t have to. Arteta can bring Saliba back gradually, and if he wants all three on the pitch, there’s always the option of Konsa at right-back, a role he’s reportedly already been training for.
Long term, that patience could be crucial, both for Arsenal’s title defence and for Saliba’s career.
Voltar
Top
| Declaração de privacidade Termos de serviço Contact |
Atualizar
|
All the best breaking news stories from Apex Scores Lite. Optimised for feature phones and low end Android devices, Apex Scores Lite helps users with legacy devices and poor network connectivity access the latest football news and live scores. Particularly relevant for breaking football news in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.