Arsenal dealt major fitness blow with William Saliba set to MISS Leeds clash

  /  autty

William Saliba is expected to miss Arsenal's Premier League clash with Leeds as the defender continues to recover from a back injury.

The Frenchman has started all but one of Arsenal's league games this season, forming a strong partnership with Brazilian Gabriel.

But Saliba was forced off early in the Gunners' Europa League defeat by Sporting after tweaking his back.

The nature of his problem means it remains uncertain exactly when he will return to Arsenal's title tilt.

He missed their final game before the international break - a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace - and then pulled out of the France squad.

On Friday, neither Saliba nor Eddie Nketiah trained with Mikel Arteta's side ahead of Saturday's visit of Leeds.

His absence would represent a big blow to Arsenal, who are 10 games away from securing the Premier League title.

Nketiah has been struggling with an ankle problem, while Arteta is also without long-term absentee Mohamed Elneny (knee).

Thomas Partey is, however, optimistic that he will be fit for Saturday's game, having suffered 'small injury issues' on international duty with Ghana.

Arsenal physio Simon Murphy travelled with Partey and the midfielder trained with Arteta's squad on Thursday.

Saliba's absence against Palace meant Rob Holding partnered Gabriel at the heart of Arsenal's defence.

The Englishman impressed on his first Premier League start of the season and afterwards, Arteta told his players they needed to return from the international break and hit even greater heights.

'Everybody has to give a bit more. It's not a secret. If we want to maintain that level we have to give more and Rob is clear example of what we needed,' Arteta said.

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