William Saliba is set to play for Arsenal’s Under-21s against Aston Villa on Sunday, Mikel Arteta has confirmed.The defender has not played this season since suffering a back injury with France at the World Cup, but was named on the bench in the Gunners’ win at Slavia Prague on Wednesday.Saliba was involved in an Arsenal matchday squad for the first time this season against Slavia Prague on WednesadyGettyWhile Saliba did not feature in the Champions League victory, his presence led to hopes he could feature against Hull on Saturday.Saliba absence explainedHowever, Saliba was not selected for the home clash, but it has now been revealed his absence isn’t a cause for concern.Gunners boss Arteta confirmed that was not due to any setback, but rather a plan to get the Frenchman back up to full fitness.Saliba will take his next steps towards a return by being involved for Arsenal’s Under-21s when they host Villa on Sunday.Explaining this, Arteta said: “He needs some minutes.“Obviously, the Champions League allows you to bring more players into the bench, but we believe that it’s the best thing to do, to play some minutes on the weekend with the Under-21s and then be fully fit for the international break.”With the international break up next, means that Saliba will now have to wait until November 21 to make his return to the pitch.The 25-year-old was not included in Zinedine Zidane‘s second France squad, as they prepare to face Italy and Turkey in the Nations League.That’s despite Arteta previously suggesting he would have been comfortable with Saliba being called up for international duty.Selection headache?Saliba’s imminent return will come as a major boost for Arsenal, with the defender establishing himself as indispensable in recent years.Saliba has yet to kick a ball for Arsenal this seasonGettyThe Frenchman has been out injured for over three monthsGettyWidely considered one of the top-flight’s best defenders, his rock-solid partnership with Gabriel played a key role in the Gunners’ Premier League title victory last season after a 22-year wait.The centre-back pair conceded just 27 league goals across the entirety of last term and Saliba was named in the PFA team of the year for the fourth consecutive time.However, the France star might not find that he walks straight into the starting XI, with Arteta now facing a selection headache.Saliba’s absence led to the Gunners’ £55million move for Ezri Konsa this summer, who has impressed since his arrival from Aston Villa.The England star has made an immediate impact, most recently helping Arsenal keep three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League.This has led Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand to suggest that Konsa should move to right-back once Saliba returns. Ezri Konsa has quickly established himself at ArsenalGettyKonsa has previously impressed when deputising in the role – doing so for England at the World Cup – and this would allow Arteta to accommodate all of his defensive talent. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: “I think Saliba is one of those guys that you have to find room for in the team. He’s that good, he’s top.“I said to my son yesterday, ‘watch Ezri Konsa’, because everything he does is efficient. That’s a great problem for Arteta to have.“I wouldn’t be surprised if Konsa goes back to right-back once Saliba comes back. I wouldn’t be surprised because Konsa is top.”