Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of William Saliba ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash with Leeds this weekend.
The 21-year-old has been absent since suffering a back injury during the Europa League loss to Sporting CP three weeks ago. He was forced to miss the subsequent Premier League clash with Crystal Palace and to withdraw from the France squad for the international break.
football.london understands that Saliba is set to miss this weekend's clash with Leeds. And now Arteta has provided an update on a potential timescale for his return.
READ MORE: Arsenal handed massive William Saliba injury blow ahead of Leeds clash
He is progressing, unfortunately, he still has some discomfort in his back," the Spaniard said during the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. "We are trying to manage him in the best possible way. Unfortunately he’s not gonna be fit for this game and we’re trying and he’s trying to do everything to feel better and get back training. But not yet."
There have been reports that Saliba's back injury could keep him out for the rest of the season, thus seeing him unavailable for selection as Arsenal aim to win a Premier League title for the first time since 2003/04. However, Arteta says the Frenchman is pushing to make a return.
"Yeah, I am very hopeful and he is as well. Back injuries are a bit tricky and how they evolve with the load that you put in certain areas," the Gunners manager added. "He’s very positive and the medical staff are positive about it. Let’s push it every day and see how he copes with that and how the pain develops as well. He’s so willing to be back in the team."
Arteta was then asked if Saliba's injury was a fresh or pre-existing one and explained why he can't give an extenstive update: "We don’t know if it happened the previous game as he had a very awkward landing against Fulham but before that he was fine.," he added.
"Maybe it’s more for the doctors to answer but it is more specifically about the load we put on that area and how he can cope with that. What kind of pain he can handle and what are the risks that can make it worse?"
As a result, the idea of Saliba possibly requiring surgery was raised, although Arteta was quick to stress that his focus is ensuring the 21-year-old gets the best treatment possible.
"Hopefully that we get the right load for him, the right amount of rest that he needs while we’re keeping him active," he said. "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.
"I want to be positive, I think that he will be able to do that. But I don’t know, I don’t have the answer today to answer 100% what it is that is going to be the case."
With just 10 games remaining of the season Arsenal will be hoping to have Saliba back available as soon as possible. After Leeds the Gunners travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool before taking on Manchester City and Chelsea across the month of April in games that could be pivotal to their charge for a first Premier League title since 2004.
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