Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that key defender William Saliba will not feature in the crucial Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday. The manager revealed the reason for the French international’s last-minute absence ahead of the highly anticipated kick-off.
Saliba was notably missing from the match day squad, with Arteta instead selecting a defensive partnership featuring Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera at the heart of the Arsenal defense for the top-of-the-table encounter.
According to the Gunners boss, Saliba began to feel “uncomfortable” during the team’s training session on Saturday. The discomfort was severe enough to warrant his immediate withdrawal from the team sheet.
However, Arteta provided a small measure of reassurance to the club’s nervous supporters, stating that he does not believe the injury is serious or long-term.
Speaking ahead of kick-off at Stamford Bridge, Arteta said: “Yesterday in training he was uncomfortable, so we need to explore a little bit more what happened.”
He reiterated his optimism about the injury’s nature, adding: “I don’t think it’s something major, but enough not to be involved in the game.”
Arsenal is desperate for a victory over their London rivals. A win for the Gunners would open up a commanding nine-point gap at the top of the Premier League table heading into the hectic festive schedule.
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