Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will have to wait until tomorrow to assess the severity of William Saliba’s hamstring issue after the French international picked up the injury in Wednesday’s win over Sp*rs.
The centre-back was excluded from today’s matchday squad and was sorely missed as the Gunners squandered a two-goal advantage to draw with Aston Villa.
When asked if there was an update on Saliba’s fitness in his post-game press conference, Arteta said: “No, not yet. I think tomorrow, we’ll have more information. Tomorrow he’ll have another test and we’ll be more clear about that.”
In the context of Arsenal’s other injuries – they are currently without Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri – it was unsurprising that the boss expressed concern at the prospect of losing another key star.
“Yeah, for sure [I’m worried], especially with the numbers we have in the squad and looking at our bench, very worried,” he said.
In Saliba’s absence, Arteta asked Jurrien Timber to play alongside Gabriel with Thomas Partey moving from midfield to right-back. Of the six games, the Ghana international has played there this season, the Gunners have only won one.
When the grim stat was put to him, Arteta was quick to dismiss it: “I cannot judge [results] just because one player plays in one position.”
The boss was also asked if Saliba’s presence might have prevented Villa’s two goals – both scored from crosses into the box – but he wasn’t so sure.
“No, I think the first one the centre back is dragged out to the wide area because their full back is releasing so it’s Mikel [Merino] that’s following [Youri] Tielemans in this case.
“And the second one is a set piece that the central defender can be in any other position and probably Willy wouldn’t be there in the second phase, so not too easy to point a finger.”
Arsenal now turn their attention to the Champions League with Dinamo Zagreb visiting the Emirates on Wednesday. They then head to Molineux to face Wolves – a first away game in six outings.
Maybe, just maybe Mr Arteta should have invested in a larger squad rather than beasting the same small pool of players every three days! Oh, and a striker would have been nice instead of hoarding left backs. Just saying.
I don’t even have the energy to formulate a response to this
The job of signing players isn’t solely the manager’s remit- some of that is down to the sporting director, who was allowed to fuck off to a direct competitor with seemingly no repercussions mid-season. And the position hasn’t been filled. So it’s on the board and ownership- not just the manager.
Edu fkd off presumably because Mikel has complete control over who comes in and who goes. Also, this isn’t city. Kroenkes made it clear there had to be multiple sell offs this season before incomings were ok’d.
“presumably”. Last time I read, they offer 3x salary to Edu
That’s some presumption. And next time you’re at a board meeting will you tell the Kronkes we need a few players in forward positions. I’m sure a person with your inside knowledge would have a far greater impact on them than Arteta.
I thought it was widely reported Arteta had full control over signings when he was promoted to manager from coach. He had a couple of subtle digs at edu in press conferences, that Nuno was a Edu signing.
This season feels irrevocably cursed. Probably the best we can hope for now is that the curse is lifted soon!
Just can’t get a break. Really can’t afford to lose one of our star central defenders long term.
Rice should play at right back. Why has nobody suggested this?
Should just Kiwior started with Gabi and Partey could has been rested.
He can play at CB…did so for WH now and again. Keep timber at RB.
We lose a player every week. I used to worry about the bench looking thin, but now it’s an achievement to put 11 first team players on the pitch.
There is never a break with the international calendar increasing each year. It’s almost better to give the player staggered holidays through the season. That way they would lose less time.