Mikel Arteta couldn't rule out the possibility that William Saliba would miss the rest of the campaign as he battles injury.
The Arsenal centre-half has been a leading light since becoming a first-team regular but has been missing in recent weeks due to a back issue he sustained in the Europa League defeat to Sporting Lisbon. Rob Holding has filled in alongside Gabriel since, but the Gunners have failed to keep a clean sheet in that time.
Arsenal are heading into the final weeks of the season with a charging Manchester City closing in and Saliba's return would be a welcome boost. Arteta though admitted he wasn't ready to return and couldn't guarantee he would feature again this term.
He said when quizzed on the Frenchman missing the rest of season: "I don’t know. It’s a bit early to do. There is some evolution. He’s doing more activity but he’s not ready yet to throw him in to that pitch." On Oleksandr Zinchenko he added: "It’s a muscular injury and it needs some time to heal. We’re not there yet."
Saliba has started 27 times in the league, helping the Gunners keep 12 clean sheets with their defensive record among the best in the top flight. With him absent though the north Londoners have lacked the defensive solidity they've shown previously.
Two-goal leads have been given up at Liverpool and West Ham, which has seen the Gunners drop four points in a week to allow the gap at the top to close. Arteta is now having to rally the group and protect against doubts with outside noise increasing, albeit the Spaniard cannot control that.
His response to them: "Nothing. I cannot communicate they are not here probably. We know that what is at stake is incredibly beautiful. The best way to do it is continue to do what we want to do." Arteta claimed he was "Very confident. Twists and turns are part of everything that you do. It’s not always going to be a linear progression. You have to know that and you have to be prepared for that."
Arsenal have the chance to extend the gap at the top to seven points when they play Southampton on Friday night at the Emirates. City don't play as they're in FA Cup action but would have two games in hand on their rivals, whom they play next week.
Saliba could still be missing for the trip to the Etihad as the Gunners look to take control of the title race. City have already secured two wins over Arsenal this term - beating them in the FA Cup before repeating the trick with a 3-1 win at the Emirates back in February.
