Mikel Arteta confirms William Saliba has been unable to train and will miss Arsenal’s crunch clash with Man City in the Premier League title race…while Granit Xhaka remains a doubt
Mikel Arteta has confirmed William Saliba will miss Arsenal’s crucial game against Manchester City in a match that could determine the destiny of the Premier League title.
Mail Sport announced on Monday that Arsenal are concerned about Saliba’s lower back injury amid serious “structural damage” that could lead to a long-term layoff if he returns this season.
Arteta has confirmed that Saliba will be absent from the Gunners’ next two matches against Man City and Chelsea, but it is not a matter of whether the Frenchman will feature again this season.
Key midfielder Granit Xhaka also remains doubtful after missing out on Arsenal’s 3-3 draw against Southampton on Friday.
“There is no real improvement with him [Saliba],’ Arteta said.
William Saliba will miss Arsenal’s most important game against Manchester City on Wednesday evening
Granit Xhaka remains doubtful after missing the draw with Southampton due to illness
“Another week has passed and he has not been able to train with the team.
“At the moment we don’t have it. The [Chelsea] game is too close.
Granit has been out, hopefully he can train today. He’s still a doubter.’
Saliba, 22, has missed Arsenal’s past five games after injuring his back in last month’s Europa League defeat to Sporting.
Arsenal conceded nine goals in those matches, with Arteta’s side drawing at Liverpool and West Ham despite leading 2–0.
The Gunners were able to stage a late fightback to earn a point against Southampton despite conceding three goals against the bottom of the Premier League.
The nature of Saliba’s injury has not been fully communicated, but sources have told Mail Sport that the back problem is linked to painful “structural damage” to his lower back.
The damage is worrying one of his lumbar discs, although the club insists his extended absence is not due to a disc problem.
The defender is desperate to play again to help his team in the title race as Arsenal manages his day-to-day recovery.
Mikel Arteta claimed the Man City duel was not a title decider whatever the outcome
Arsenal hope Xhaka recovers in time to face Man City.
The Swiss midfielder was left off the squad against Southampton after feeling ill on the morning of Friday’s game, having previously been ever-present in Arsenal’s title chase squad.
Arteta downplayed suggestions Wednesday’s game could be a title decider, but admitted a win against the defending champions would significantly boost Arsenal’s chances of a first Premier League title since 2004.
“No, if we win tomorrow, we haven’t won the league,” said Arteta.
“It will probably shift the percentage, but five games in this competition is still very difficult.”
Arsenal have a five-point lead over Man City heading into the game, although Pep Guardiola’s side have two games remaining.