William Saliba is set to miss Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Leeds due to injury football.london understands. The Frenchman was forced to withdraw during the Gunners’ Europa League loss to Sporting CP two and half weeks ago.
He missed the subsequent Premier League clash with Crystal Palace. The 21-year-old was then forced to withdraw from the France squad for the international break.
And now he will be absent for Saturday’s clash with Leeds at the Emirates. It is currently unclear when Saliba will return to the squad.
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The Frenchman is likely to be replaced in the Arsenal backline by Rob Holding. Holding was called upon for the match with Palace prior to the international break and impressed during his first Premier League start of the season. Speaking after the match Mikel Arteta backed his side to cope in the absence Saliba.
“We hope Willy is going to be better news,” the Spaniard said in his post-Palace press conference. “Again We have to wait to tomorrow to get a better picture.
“We lost players, we lost Gabi for four months, we lost Thomas for one and a half months, we lost Alex Zinchenko for one and a half months, we lost Mo Elneny for six to eight months. Now we’ve lost Eddie and Tomiyasu or Saliba. 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 today.”
Arsenal could also be without Eddie Nketiah for the Leeds clash after he missed training earlier on Thursday. Mohamed Elneny is a long-term absentee meanwhile. Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney should both be available for selection after training with the squad at London Colney.
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