Arteta praises 'incredible' Saliba as he rejoins training

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised William Saliba's effort to return to fitness, saying the French centre-back has rejoined first-team training ahead of the club's Champions League trip to Slavia Prague.

Saliba has not played since going off injured in the World Cup semi-final for France against Spain in Dallas. He avoided surgery and has worked on a rehabilitation programme to get back into the side.

Arteta gave an update on the defender's condition. "He's in a really good place. I think the process and the timings and in the manner that the injury has been dealt with, and especially the feelings that Willy has been having along the way, they've been very, very positive."

Arteta said Saliba had progressed as planned. "He feels very comfortable. He played 45 minutes behind closed doors last week, and he feels ready to go. So whether we use him or not now is a matter of what the team needs."

Arteta also praised the work Saliba has done away from the spotlight. "That's how William is - he does it in silence, he does his own thing."

The club had given Saliba time off after what Arteta described as an extremely demanding schedule in recent years, before he returned to a rehabilitation programme. Arteta said progress had been assessed every week and every month.