Arsenal suffer William Saliba blow amid huge boost ahead of crunching title race
Arsenal have suffered a blow in their attempts to bring back William Saliba from injury after the centre-back was absent from training on Tuesday.
Saliba has missed Arsenal’s last three Premier League matches after picking up a back problem in the club’s Europa League defeat to Sporting Lisbon.
The 22-year-old France international has been a crucial member for Mikel Arteta’s side this term having built an effective connection with Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Gunners, top of the Premier League table, are keen for Saliba to return as they continue their attempts to claim their first top-flight trophy since 2004.
Arsenal are presently six points clear of second-placed Manchester City but Pep Guardiola’s squad have a game in hand and are still slated to visit them at the Etihad.
Rob Holding has come into the lineup as Saliba’s substitute but Roy Keane has warned that the Englishman is too sluggish and is a weak link in the Arsenal defensive.
Holding handed up a penalty in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool last time out and there was hope that Saliba could return for Sunday’s showdown against West Ham.
🔴 Saliba is unlikely to face West Ham this Sunday but "not impossible." pic.twitter.com/Do5GDK5jsJ
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 11, 2023
But it now seems that the Frenchman will stay sidelined for the fourth Premier League game in a row.
Arsenal have been handed an injury boost regarding attacker Eddie Nketiah, though, as the Englishman took part in training on Tuesday.
Nketiah has missed Arsenal’s previous five top-flight matches with an ankle issue but he will now enhance Arteta’s attacking options for the last eight games.
The 23-year-old has tallied nine goals and two assists this season but now will have to battle Gabriel Jesus for game time after the Brazilian returned from injury.
Jesus scored in the tie at Anfield on Sunday following his double in the 4-1 triumph over Leeds United the week before.
