Due to a back injury, Arsenak defender William Saliba missed Wednesday night’s critical Premier League match against Manchester City. The Gunners ended up losing 4-1.
Ahead of the top-of-the-table clash at the Etihad, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed: “There’s not been a real improvement unfortunately on him, so we are still waiting. It’ll be another week that has gone by and he hasn’t been able to train with the team.”
After leaving the field injured against Sporting Lisbon in their Europa League matchup last month, Saliba has missed Arsenal’s last five games.
The 22-year-old’s replacement, Rob Holding, has started in his place, but the Gunners haven’t managed to keep a clean sheet during that time.
They have given up nine goals, seven of which have come in the previous three games, and despite significant home victories over Leeds and Crystal Palace, Arteta’s team is currently on a run of three straight draws, which has hurt their prospects of winning the league for the first time since 2004.
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Although Man City have two games in hand, the Gunners currently lead the Premier League standings by two points. Arsenal’s current slump has been marked by complacency, but Saliba’s injury absence is also a major issue.
Before suffering a back injury, Saliba had started every Premier League game for Arsenal this season. His absence is hurting the Gunners both offensively and defensively as they compete with Man City for the league crown.
It is not sure when he will be returning, but Arteta would surely be wishing for his star defender’s quick recovery.
