William Saliba Returns From Injury in Arsenal Under-21 Victory

William Saliba has taken another step in his recovery from injury after playing the firs-half for Arsenal Under-21s in a 5-2 win over Aston Villa.

The France international started at Meadow Park, the home of Boreham Wood, partnering Marli Salmon in central defence. He was replaced at half-time by Elijah Upson, as Arsenal continue to manage his return carefully.

Saliba has been sidelined since the start of the season with a back injury, and the outing gave him valuable minutes as he nears the end of his recovery. He returned to the first-team matchday squad for the Champions League win at Slavia Prague, though he did not come off the bench.

It was a difficult start on Sunday afternoon for the hosts. Cole Brannigan gave Villa the lead after just five minutes, scoring his first goal for the Under-21s since April.

However, Arsenal responded quickly. Maalik Hashi levelled in the 24th minute, before Andre Harriman-Annous put the Gunners ahead just three minutes later, meaning Saliba ended his afternoon at the break with his side in front.

The French international was replaced at half-time by Elijah Upson, the son of former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson, who joined the club from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.

Harriman-Annous then added his second of the afternoon after the interval to wrap up the win, which was Arsenal’s first victory in Premier League 2 this season.

Max Dowman also featured, with the 16-year-old also using the opportunity to get minutes under his belt while serving a three-match domestic suspension. The midfielder scored the fourth for Arsenal, to further ensure that they left with their first three points of the campaign.

Dowman has already missed the Premier League wins over Liverpool and Hull City, and will sit out the trip to Newcastle United. His ban followed a red card in the Carabao Cup defeat at Fleetwood Town, after Arsenal’s appeal was rejected.

Jack McGrath clawed one back for the visitors late into the match, before Evan Mooney scored in the fourth minute of additional time to restore the three goal lead. 

Several of those involved have recorded first-team experience this season. Salmon started at Fleetwood alongside Dowman, whilst Hashi and Harriman-Annous were both named among the substitutes for the cup tie.

During Saliba's absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa has impressed alongside Gabriel Magalhães. The former Villa defender has kept seven clean sheets in 13 starts for the Premier League champions, and could arguably not do any more to cement his name in the backline.

With Saliba having returned to action, Arteta will be hoping to have the Frenchman available as the Gunners look to extend their lead at the Premier League summit after the international break.