William Saliba injury: Arsenal star "to miss" five games as update emerges with "hamstring problem" diagnosed
Arsenal were without William Saliba for their 2-2 with Aston Villa on Saturday
Arsenal defender William Saliba is not expected to return to action until next month, reports in France have claimed. The influential defender was absent as the Gunners let a 2-0 lead slip against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking ahead of the game, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: "He felt something before the match, something muscular. I don’t think it’s too much, but he couldn't train [on Friday]. He wasn’t feeling good enough to play, so we have to assess the situation."
William Saliba injury latest
L’Equipe have reported that the Gunners have now assessed the France international’s injury and determined it is a hamstring problem that is set to keep him out for around two weeks. Having already missed the clash with Villa, the defender is poised to miss Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night as well as the Gunners’ trip to Wolves on Saturday afternoon.
Following those games is a trip to Girona in the Champions League before a huge game with Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium. Given Saliba’s injury is reportedly due to rule him out for two weeks - he will be set to miss five games in total. However, the report from L’Equipe claims that there is the possibility the defender will be available against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Having lost 2-0 to Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final - Saliba will also be racing to fit for the second leg at St James’ Park on February 5. The Gunners finish February with games against Leicester City, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest but Saliba’s availability for those fixtures is not under threat as things stand.
What Arteta has said
On Saturday, Arteta was asked about Saliba’s fitness, he said: “Not yet, I think tomorrow we will have more information, we will have more tests on him and we will be more clear about it.”
Asked if he was worried, the Gunners boss continued: “Yes, for sure, especially with the numbers we have in the squad and looking at our bench. Very worried.”
Further questions were asked on if the injury could result in further pressure to make a signing, as Arteta added: “Not at the result at the moment. You look at the performances, I don’t know how many teams are playing at this level in the league. When you look at the bench, probably you say I think we are very short.”
The Gunners boss was also asked if the goals Arsenal conceded were due to Saliba not being in the side. He replied: “No, I think the first one I think the centre back is dragged out to the wide area because their full back is releasing so it’s Mikel that’s following Tielemans in this case, and the second one is a set piece that the central defender can be in any other position and probably Willy wouldn’t be there in the second phase, so not too easy to point a finger.”