Arsenal dealt major fitness blow with William Saliba set to MISS Leeds clash
Arsenal dealt major fitness blow with William Saliba set to MISS Saturday’s clash against Leeds with Rob Holding expected to deputise once more – as Mikel Arteta’s side look to keep Manchester City at arm’s length
- William Saliba was forced off during the side’s Europa League defeat by Sporting
- He remained absent for Crystal Palace and withdrew from the France squad
- Defender doesn’t appear to have recovered in time to make his return to the side
William Saliba is expected to miss Arsenal‘s Premier League clash with Leeds as the defender continues to recover from a back injury.
The Frenchman has started all but one of Arsenal’s league games this season, forming a strong partnership with Brazilian Gabriel.
But Saliba was forced off early in the Gunners’ Europa League defeat by Sporting after tweaking his back.
The nature of his problem means it remains uncertain exactly when he will return to Arsenal’s title tilt.
He missed their final game before the international break – a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace – and then pulled out of the France squad.
William Saliba was forced off against Sporting in the Europa League earlier this month
The defender has formed an impressive partnership with Brazilian Gabriel for Arsenal this term
He has started all but one of the club’s Premier League encounters but looks set to miss his second consecutive league game
On Friday, neither Saliba nor Eddie Nketiah trained with Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of Saturday’s visit of Leeds.
His absence would represent a big blow to Arsenal, who are 10 games away from securing the Premier League title.
Nketiah has been struggling with an ankle problem, while Arteta is also without long-term absentee Mohamed Elneny (knee).
Thomas Partey is, however, optimistic that he will be fit for Saturday’s game, having suffered ‘small injury issues’ on international duty with Ghana.
Arsenal physio Simon Murphy travelled with Partey and the midfielder trained with Arteta’s squad on Thursday.
Saliba’s absence against Palace meant Rob Holding partnered Gabriel at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
The Englishman impressed on his first Premier League start of the season and afterwards, Arteta told his players they needed to return from the international break and hit even greater heights.
‘Everybody has to give a bit more. It’s not a secret. If we want to maintain that level we have to give more and Rob is clear example of what we needed,’ Arteta said.
Arsenal are chasing a first league crown in 19 years as they look to maintain eight-point advantage over Manchester City
Eddie Nketiah was also absent from the club’s training for the visit of Leeds this weekend