Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is “very hopeful” William Saliba’s back injury will not keep him out for the rest of the season.
Saliba injured his back playing against Sporting CP earlier this month and was forced to withdraw from the France squad for the recent international break.
The centre-back also missed Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace before that break and will be absent for Saturday’s game against Leeds.
Arteta, however, is optimistic that Saliba’s season is not over and he can play a role in the title run-in. Arsenal are currently eight points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with 10 games to go.
“I am very hopeful and he is as well,” said Arteta, when asked about the prospect of Saliba playing again this season.
“Back injuries are a bit tricky, how they evolve with the load that you put as well in certain areas. But, he is very positive about it, the medical staff are positive about it.
“Let’s push it every day, a little bit and see how he can cope with that and how the pain develops as well. He is obviously so willing as well to be back with the team.
“We don’t know if it happened the previous game because he had a very awkward landing against Fulham. But before that he was fine. He is progressing.
“Unfortunately he has still some discomfort in his back and we are trying to manage it in the best possible way. He is not going to be fit for this game [against Leeds]. We are trying, he is trying, to do everything he can to feel better and get him back training - but not yet.”
After Leeds on Saturday, the Gunners have plenty of big games for their run-in as they travel to Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle.
Arteta is unsure when Saliba will be back in action by then, with the nature of his back injury making it hard to put a timeframe on his absence.
“It is more specific about the area and the load that Willy puts in that area, how he can cope with that and what kind of pain he can handle,” he said. “And what are the risks as well if we make it worse, and that’s what we have to be aware of.”
The Spaniard has, however, cooled talk that Saliba may have to undergo surgery to solve the problem.
“Hopefully we get the right load for him, the right amount of rest that he needs while we’re keeping him active,” said Arteta.
“And the pain starts to go away and we are more comfortable with the images we have of him that we can start to take him to the pitch and do certain activities with him. That’s it.”
Arsenal will be without Saliba against Leeds, but both Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey are expected to play.
Partey missed Ghana’s game with Angola on Monday due to an injury scare and he travelled on international duty with lead performance physio Simon Murphy.
“It is something that we did in the past as well,” said Arteta. “We have a really good relationship with the Ghanaian federation and we have to manage and look after our players.
“They have been really positive about it as well. We try to help as much as possible. I think it works both ways.
“Obviously he wasn’t fit enough to play the second game, but hopefully he is going to be back for the weekend.”
