William Saliba injury comeback ramps up with Arsenal Under-21 outing

William Saliba stepped up his comeback by playing 45 minutes for Arsenal's Under-21s on Sunday.

The France defender, sidelined since suffering a back injury at the World Cup, was absent from the senior squad which beat Hull 1-0 on Saturday.

Instead Saliba played the first half of Arsenal's youngsters' 5-2 victory over Aston Villa to build up his fitness.

"He's the ultimate professional from the minute he got in this morning to half-time," U21s head coach David Horseman told the club website.

"He's fine, by the way, it was all pre-planned [to play 45 minutes], so nobody needs to panic.

"Just the way he was in the meeting, everything about him, the way he prepares on the bus, the lads probably won't notice it, but they should.

"The way he coaches and talks on the pitch, and then his quality, the detail of play, and he mixed his game up between short and long.

"Obviously, everybody knows he's a world-class defender, one of the best in the world, if not the best. It was brilliant, but he was so good around the lads, you'd never know it.

"He's a brilliant pro, great guy, and we're really thankful for him to act like that, because if he does it, there's no excuse for the rest not to do it.

"It was brilliant having him. I'd love him every week. Obviously, that'd be lovely, but he'll leave us soon and go back with the first team."

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Saliba is on course to return to the Gunners squad for the trip to Newcastle after the international break.

However, the form of summer signing Ezri Konsa means that Mikel Arteta has no need to rush the 25-year-old back.

Max Dowman, who is still suspended from the first team after his red card in the Carabao Cup penalty shootout defeat at Fleetwood last month, was among the goalscorers along with Maalik Hashi, Evan Mooney and two from Andre Harriman-Annous.