When will Arsenal star William Saliba return from injury?

Updated: 4 Apr 2023 17:19 BST
3 min read

William Saliba, Arsenal, 2022/23 — © ProShots

William Saliba has suffered an injury setback that could be a blow to Arsenal's title hopes.

The Gunners lead the Premier League table by a significant margin of eight points, but they will still be without one of their star players when they travel to Merseyside on Sunday, April 9 to take on Liverpool in what could prove to be an important match in the title race.

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Second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand on Arsenal and play lowly Southampton, could make up ground if the North London side fail to beat struggling Liverpool.

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Arsenal have been without star centre-back William Saliba since the Frenchman suffered a back injury in the Gunners' Europa League defeat to Sporting CP. The 22-year-old has been unable to train since, with Rob Holding stepping in to hold down the fort in Arsenal's wins over Crystal Palace and Leeds.

Saliba has been one of Mikel Arteta's standout performers this season, featuring in every Premier League fixture prior to his injury and keeping 12 clean sheets in tandem with his equally impressive centre-back partner Gabriel Magalhaes. Thanks to the outstanding duo, Arsenal have conceded the third-fewest goals in the league.

Not fit for Liverpool

There were some hopes that Saliba could return for the crucial fixture against Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool, but those hopes have been dashed now. The Sun report that Mikel Arteta will not take any risks, which means that the Frenchman will be forced to watch the game from the sidelines.

Arsenal's coach said prior to the Leeds game: "He is progressing. He still has some discomfort in his back. We are trying to manage him in the best possible way. We are trying – he’s trying to do everything to feel better and get back into training, but not yet."