The squad worked in front of the media at London Colney before travelling to the Czech Republic for Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Slavia Prague, and Saliba was among those taking part.

Saliba steps up his recovery

Specialists decided that surgery was not necessary and an extended period of rest followed, according to the Standard. He had been working through individual drills in recent weeks before stepping up to full training on Monday, and the Standard says he came through that session without any issues before being involved again on Tuesday.

Football. The Standard says it remains to be seen whether he is on the plane, with Arsenal understood to be cautious about his return to action.

In mid-October, Mikel Arteta said: "I think next week we have another MRI with him to see how the healing process is at the moment." He added: "But every sign so far has been very, very positive, and yeah, it will be great to have him." The manager speaks to reporters in Prague later on Tuesday, and the Mirror notes that an indication of Saliba's availability is likely to arrive a few hours earlier, either through a confirmed travelling squad or pictures of him boarding the flight.

Konsa's form gives Arsenal room to be patient

Mirror Football reports that a place in the starting XI is unlikely to come immediately, particularly given Ezri Konsa's impact since his summer arrival. According to the Standard, Konsa is likely Arsenal's standout performer this season, and the Mirror highlights his importance to the clean sheet in Sunday's 1-0 victory at Liverpool, which kept Arteta's team three points ahead of Manchester City following their loss to Brighton.

That form, the Standard suggests, allows Arsenal to ease Saliba back in without taking significant risks with his fitness, and raises the possibility of Konsa shifting to right-back once the Frenchman is fully up to speed. The Mirror adds that if Saliba does not feature in Europe, he could return against Hull City at the Emirates on Saturday, or be held back until after the November international break.

Saka absent from open session

Bukayo Saka was not spotted at the session because of a thigh problem, according to the Mirror. Christos Tzolis was out on the grass after making his return from a hamstring injury on Sunday, and Eberechi Eze was present despite being an unused substitute at Anfield, with Arteta having said it was impressive that he made the bench at all.

Why the timing matters

Daily Cannon, which cites the Football.London reporting, notes that Saliba's involvement against Slavia Prague would not necessarily change much given Konsa's performances in his absence, but that his return could matter far more later in the month. That period includes a trip to Newcastle United and home games against Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City, followed in early December by a visit to Tottenham Hotspur and a home fixture with Real Madrid.

Arsenal face Slavia Prague at the Fortuna Arena on Wednesday at 20:00 UK time, having won 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday.

Photo: Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford, United Kingdom via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0, resized.