League leaders Arsenal face fresh defensive concerns after Mikel Arteta confirmed that William Saliba missed the Brighton clash due to an ankle injury sustained against Chelsea.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that star defender William Saliba was sidelined for the Gunners’ trip to Brighton following an ankle injury.
The Frenchman reportedly rolled his ankle during the previous match against Chelsea.
Despite the blow, Arsenal remains five points clear at the top of the table, though the loss of Saliba adds to a growing list of defensive injuries this season.
Arteta explained the defender’s absence before kick-off, highlighting the player’s resilience in their previous outing.
“He turned his ankle against Chelsea. He managed to finish the game somehow, but he was too sore to play today,” Arteta told Sky Sports.
In Saliba’s absence, Cristhian Mosquera was handed a start at center-back, with the manager adding, “Cristhian’s showed that we can fully trust him.”
Arsenal won the match 1-0 thanks to Bukayo Saka’s early goal to go seven points clear of Manchester City, who was held at home by Nottingham Forest.
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