Arsenal’s staggering early-season injury woes continue, as William Saliba looked in clear discomfort and had to be substituted five minutes into the Gunners’ game vs. Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
The Frenchman was fighting for a ball in the air with Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitiké during the opening exchanges. Though Saliba won the ball, he immediately started hopping on one leg in clear pain, and then went to the ground. Only seconds later, he went to the ground again, this time signalling to the bench that he couldn’t continue.
It’s a devastating blow for Arsenal. Saliba is an untouchable in Mikel Arteta’s lineup and a key piece to the Gunners’ success. His partnership with Gabriel in the heart of defence has become arguably the best in the Premier League.
Arsenal newcomer Cristhian Mosquera replaced the injured Saliba. The former Valencia man will now get his first extended appearance at his new club at one of the toughest away venues in England.
After the game, Arteta revealed Saliba twisted his ankle in the warm-up and believed he could start the game and carry on. The severity of the injury wasn’t revealed, but at least clarity regarding the specificity of what forced Saliba off.
It’s been a worrying start to the season for Arsenal fitness-wise. Saliba is now the fourth player to suffer an injury during the Gunners’ first three games of the season, joining Kai Havertz, Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka—the latter two had to be taken off in Arsenal’s most recent game vs. Leeds United.
Ødegaard, deemed fit enough for the bench, came on late in the second half as a substitute which is a plus, but the injuries are stacking up early. The only reprieve is the international break now which Arteta hopes could be the break needed to get multiple players back to full fitness.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Mikel Arteta Provides William Saliba Update After Loss to Liverpool.
