Taking instructions from a schoolboy and showing class at half-pace… William Saliba made impressive injury comeback for Arsenal Under-21s – now he faces fight to take Ezri Konsa’s spot, writes ISAAN KHAN

It was a scene straight out of Will Ferrell’s Elf. In the middle of Arsenal’s Under-21 team huddle stood William Saliba, all 6ft 4in of him, towering over his teenage team-mates as 17-year-old captain Marli Salmon delivered his pre-match rallying cry.

One of the world’s finest defenders was taking instructions from a schoolboy.

For the hundreds of Arsenal supporters who had descended on Boreham Wood’s Meadow Park on Sunday, it was an extraordinary sight. Four months after suffering a back injury in France’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain, Saliba was finally back on a football pitch.

But his carefully managed 45-minute appearance in a 5-2 victory over Aston Villa’s Under-21s marked the beginning of another challenge. Saliba must now win back a place in an Arsenal defence which, remarkably, has barely missed him.

That is largely down to Ezri Konsa, the £55million summer signing from Aston Villa who has been so impressive in Saliba’s absence that Mikel Arteta faces a genuine selection dilemma.

Saliba and Gabriel have been Arsenal’s established central defensive partnership since the opening day of the 2022-23 season. But Konsa, arguably Arsenal’s outstanding defender this term, has made a compelling case to keep his place.

His performance in the 1-0 victory at Liverpool, Arsenal’s first win at Anfield in 14 years, was particularly impressive. He won every ground duel, made 14 defensive contributions and completed eight clearances, leading the match statistics in all three categories. Liverpool failed to register a shot on target.

It was precisely the sort of performance that has given Arteta something to think about. And the Arsenal manager is understood to have challenged Konsa to fight for his place rather than simply make way for the returning Frenchman.

There is another solution. Konsa can operate at right back, a position he has occupied for both Villa and England, including during the summer’s World Cup. That would allow Arteta to restore the Saliba-Gabriel partnership without sacrificing a player who has become such an important part of Arsenal’s defence. For now, however, there will be no rush.

Saliba’s injury history explains why Arsenal have been so careful. In 2022-23, another back problem kept him out for 97 days and contributed significantly to the collapse of a title challenge that had seen the club spend 248 days at the top of the Premier League.

Arsenal have since finished runners-up again and finally claimed the title last summer, but the lessons of that earlier setback have not been forgotten.

Leading back specialists were consulted over Saliba’s latest injury before the club settled on a conservative rehabilitation programme, deliberately extending his recovery rather than risking another setback.

He returned to full first-team training last Tuesday, ahead of Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague, but Sunday’s appearance represented his first competitive action since July. His absence from France’s squad during the international break should allow Arsenal to continue building his fitness without interruption.

And there was plenty to suggest that the long wait has done little to diminish his quality.

Playing comfortably within himself, Saliba repeatedly strolled past opponents before threading passes through the Villa midfield. At times he ventured so far forward after set-pieces that supporters began joking about whether he fancied himself as a centre-forward.

Even at half-pace, the gulf between a world-class defender and academy football was obvious.

Yet it was Saliba’s interaction with his young team-mates that provided some of the afternoon’s most revealing moments.

Throughout the first half he could be heard directing Salmon, shouting ‘man on,’ ‘high, high’ and ‘well done, Marli’ as he guided his teenage defensive partner through the game.

When Arsenal scored their opening goal, Salmon initially stayed back rather than joining the celebrations. Saliba promptly ordered him forward to enjoy the moment.

It was a small gesture but typical of the interest Saliba has taken in Arsenal’s younger players during his rehabilitation.

He is understood to have spent time asking about their families and offering advice about life in professional football. 

One particular message has been the importance of looking after their parents if they are fortunate enough to make a successful career in the game. The affection is clearly mutual.

Children clamoured for autographs as Saliba arrived and departed, while Arsenal had prepared for the unusual attention surrounding an Under 21 fixture. 

Large QR codes directing spectators to the team line-up had been displayed around the ground and a member of the first-team security staff accompanied Saliba between the dressing room and the pitch.

His afternoon was meticulously choreographed. At half-time, his work completed, he disappeared into the changing rooms before leaving through a side exit.

The 45 minutes will have provided reassurance to Arteta and Arsenal’s medical staff, as well as a memorable afternoon for the teenagers who shared the pitch with him. For Saliba, though, the real work is only beginning.

Few would have imagined when he suffered his injury in July that he might return to find his place under threat. Konsa’s performances have changed that calculation.

Arsenal have their defensive cornerstone back. Now Arteta must decide what to do with him.