Zing Muse – Arsenal suffer a major blow as William Saliba is sidelined for 3–4 weeks due to an ankle injury, missing crucial Premier League and Champions League clashes. Arteta faces a defensive crisis.
Emirates Shock: William Saliba Sidelined for 3–4 Weeks
Arsenal have been hit with devastating news as star defender William Saliba has sustained an ankle injury and will be out of action for at least 3–4 weeks. The French international suffered the knock during the 31 August clash against Liverpool, forcing him off the pitch early.
The setback not only rules him out of Arsenal’s key fixtures but also excludes him from the French national team squad in September.
Arsenal’s Fixtures Hit Hard
Saliba’s absence comes at the worst possible time, with a tough run of fixtures ahead:
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Premier League: Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, Newcastle, West Ham
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Champions League: opener against Athletic Bilbao, possible absence against Olympiacos
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League Cup: tie versus Port Vale
This leaves Arsenal with a massive challenge in both domestic and European competitions.
Arteta’s Selection Dilemma
Manager Mikel Arteta must now reshuffle his defense:
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Cristhian Mosquera, the 21-year-old signing from Valencia, is expected to step in. He impressed during his brief debut against Liverpool.
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Piero Hincapié, brought on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, will also be considered a backup solution.
Still, losing Saliba—one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League—is a severe blow to Arsenal’s stability.
Arsenal’s Growing Injury Crisis
The Saliba setback adds to a worrying injury list for the Gunners:
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Bukayo Saka (hamstring)
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Kai Havertz (knee)
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Ben White and Christian Nørgaard (recovering)
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Gabriel Jesus, not fully fit after an ACL issue, has already been left out of Arsenal’s Champions League squad.
The mounting crisis leaves Arteta with limited options during a decisive stretch of the season.
When Could Saliba Return?
Medical reports suggest that Saliba might recover earlier than the 4-week estimate. Some projections indicate a possible comeback in 2–3 weeks, which could see him return in time for the Manchester City clash at the end of September or the match against Newcastle.
However, rushing him back carries significant risk, and Arteta is expected to be cautious with his defensive linchpin.
William Saliba’s injury threatens to derail Arsenal’s momentum at a crucial point in the season. With multiple key players sidelined, Arteta faces one of his toughest managerial tests yet.
The upcoming fixtures will not only challenge Arsenal’s depth but also reveal whether the Gunners can maintain their title ambitions without their star defender.
Linda (news)
