Arsenal’s defensive problems have intensified as William Saliba missed the Chelsea clash with a knock sustained in training and faces further assessment, while manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that his defensive partner Gabriel is still several weeks away from a return due to an adductor injury.
Arsenal is grappling with a deepening injury crisis after William Saliba missed Sunday’s high-profile 1-1 Premier League draw against Chelsea due to a training ground knock.
According to a report from The Standard, the French defender was omitted from the squad after sustaining a knock in training on Saturday.
This meant that manager Mikel Arteta was left without both of his influential first-choice centre-backs, as Saliba’s regular partner, Gabriel, remains sidelined.
Arteta confirmed that Saliba was scheduled to undergo further examination on Monday to ascertain the extent of the issue.
The manager stated: “I think he has another test tomorrow to see the extent of that feeling, that sensation that he had, then we’ll know more.”
Saliba’s absence compounds the issue caused by Gabriel, who is out with an adductor injury suffered while playing for Brazil last month. Arteta confirmed after the Chelsea game that the 27-year-old’s return is still distant, saying: “With Gabi, there are still some weeks to go.”
The ongoing defensive shortages meant summer signings Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie were paired together against 10-man Chelsea.
The forward line offers some better news, however. Kai Havertz, who has been Arsenal’s only long-term absentee since surgery for a knee injury on the opening weekend, and Leandro Trossard (muscle issue) are both potentially targeting a return for the upcoming match against Brentford on Wednesday, December 3.
Arteta had previously said of the attacking duo, “Not yet, but they are getting closer and closer, so we are very positive with both of them.”