Mikel Arteta has admitted he is unsure whether William Saliba will play again this season.
The Arsenal boss confirmed the defender will miss Friday’s clash with Southampton and remains a major doubt for next week’s crunch trip to title rivals Manchester City.
Saliba, 22, has missed Arsenal’s past four matches after hurting his back in last month’s Europa League defeat by Sporting.
And on Thursday, Arteta conceded Saliba’s injury is not healing as quickly as they first hoped.
‘We still have to wait a little bit more. He is not progressing as quick as we hoped. It’s a bit delicate and we want to be very certain when we push him that he is ready to absorb the load and the risk that we will take and at the moment that’s not possible to do,’ Arteta said.
William Saliba’s road to recovery has been difficult and Arteta confirmed he was still not ready
Oleksandr Zinchenko is still struggling with the groin injury that kept him out for West Ham
‘It’s a bit early to [know if he will play again this season]. ‘Probably next week we are going to have more certainty. There is some evolution, he is doing more activity, but he is not there yet to start to throw him on the pitch at the level that the sessions demand to compete in this league.’
Oleksandr Zinchenko has returned to training after missing last week’s draw at West Ham with a tight groin and Arsenal are hopeful he will be fit for Friday’s visit of bottom side Saints.
Arteta also suggested Bukayo Saka’s penalty miss at the London Stadium could prove a blessing in disguise.
‘He loves responsibility but he puts a lot on his shoulders as well,’ Arteta said.
‘If he had any doubt about how much people love him, respect him and admire him at the club I think he had a very overwhelming reaction form everyone in the building and the club.
‘In the end I think it can be something very positive that can give him a big lift because everyone acted in an unbelievable way towards him because he deserves it because of the way he is.
Mikel Arteta will look to firm up his backline ahead of facing Southampton in the midst of the side’s dip in form
Arsenal squandered a two-nil lead versus West Ham on Sunday which shrunk the gap from City
Despite missing a vital one against the Hammers, Bukayo Saka will remain the penalty taker
The manager confirmed Saka will remain Arsenal’s penalty taker, even after Sunday’s draw left them just four points clear of City.
‘If not, I will go on the pitch and throw him the ball to make sure he takes the next one,’ the manager joked.
‘What he went through [at Euro 2020] was tough but in a different way it was something beautiful and a great experience for him.
‘I think that helped him, not only him but the people around him as well to understand what the reaction has to be, the support and protection that he needs and he will go again.’
source: dailymail.co.uk
