William Saliba’s fitness has become a major concern for Arsenal as the star defender battles a hamstring strain. The Frenchman, instrumental to Mikel Arteta’s plans, missed the recent 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, leaving Arteta openly worried about his condition.
According to reports, Saliba will be sidelined for the next two weeks, putting his availability for Arsenal’s crucial Premier League showdown with Manchester City in serious doubt. The match, set to take place at the Emirates on February 2, is a pivotal moment in the title race.
During his absence, Saliba is also expected to miss two Champions League fixtures against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona, as well as Arsenal’s league game against Wolves. The timing of his injury couldn’t be worse, as Arsenal seeks to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Meanwhile, City appear to be gaining momentum, as evidenced by their emphatic 6-0 win over Ipswich Town, which has narrowed the gap between the two sides to just six points.
Pep Guardiola’s team, despite early-season struggles, is now back in contention, with former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer warning against ruling them out of the title race.
Speaking to the BBC, Schwarzer said, “Manchester City still have the quality and the know-how to challenge. They’re working their way back into form, and with key fixtures ahead, anything can happen.”
Saliba’s injury puts further pressure on Arsenal’s defense, which has relied heavily on his leadership and ability. With City’s resurgence and the Gunners’ mounting challenges, the next few weeks could be decisive in the Premier League title race.
Fans will be hoping Saliba can recover in time to bolster Arsenal’s backline for what promises to be a blockbuster clash against the defending champions.