Major Arsenal injury blow: Mikel Arteta provides Saliba and Zinchenko updates

Mikel Arteta has admitted he is not sure if William Saliba will play again this season.

The Arsenal boss confirmed the defender will miss Friday’s clash with Southampton and remains a big doubt ahead of next week’s crucial trip to title rivals Manchester City.

Saliba, 22, has missed Arsenal’s past four games after injuring his back in last month’s Europa League defeat to Sporting.

And on Thursday, Arteta admitted that Saliba’s injury is not healing as quickly as they had originally hoped.

‘We have to wait a little longer. He’s not progressing as fast as we’d hoped. It’s a bit delicate and we want to be very sure that when we push him he is ready to take the burden and the risk that we will take and at the moment that is not possible,” said Arteta.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is still struggling with the groin injury that kept him out for West Ham

‘It’s a little early for that [know if he will play again this season]. We will probably get more certainty next week. There is some evolution, he is doing more activity, but he is not there yet to throw him on the field at the level that the sessions require to compete in this competition.

Oleksandr Zinchenko has returned to training after missing last week’s draw at West Ham with a tight groin and Arsenal hope he will be fit for Friday’s visit to bottom Saints.

Arteta also suggested that Bukayo Saka’s missed penalty at the London Stadium could be a blessing in disguise.

“He likes responsibility, but he also puts a lot on his shoulders,” Arteta said.

“If he had any doubts about how much people love, respect and admire him at the club, I think he had a very overwhelming response from everyone in the building and the club.

“Ultimately I think it could be something really positive that could give him a big boost because everyone acted on him in an incredible way because he deserves it for the way he is.

Mikel Arteta will look to solidify his backline before facing Southampton amid the side’s dip in form

Arsenal lost a two-nil lead against West Ham on Sunday, narrowing the gap to City

Despite missing a crucial game against the Hammers, Bukayo Saka remains the penalty taker

The manager confirmed that Saka will remain Arsenal’s penalty taker, even after Sunday’s draw put them just four points ahead of City.

“If not, I’ll go out on the pitch and throw him the ball to make sure he gets the next one,” the manager joked.

‘What he’s been through [at Euro 2020] was tough but in a different way it was a beautiful thing and a great experience for him.

“I think that helped him, not just him but the people around him, to understand what the response should be, the support and protection he needs and he’ll go again.”