Arsenal injury news: William Saliba picked up an issue during the north London outfit's Europa League clash against Sporting CP earlier this month before missing the 4-1 win over Crystal Palace three days later
Arsenal defender William Saliba has been hugely impressive for Mikel Arteta's side this season.
Rob Holding stepped in for the 22-year-old against the Eagles and it still remains to be seen how much longer Arteta will be relying on the former Bolton man. Now, football.london has rounded up all the information we have on Saliba's injury ahead of the return of the Premier League this weekend, with the north Londoners taking on Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Major blow
Arsenal face a difficult month of fixtures, travelling to Anfield to take on Liverpool next Sunday, with matches against Chelsea and Manchester City also on the horizon.
Absent from training ahead of Leeds
William Saliba was not involved in Arsenal's first training session back after the international break. The Frenchman had to withdraw from the France squad as he continues to recover from a back injury.
Mikel Arteta is likely to start Holding in Saliba's absence for the game against Leeds, alongside Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes.
France decision
Les Blues play the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland over the next fortnight but Saliba will have to watch from home as he awaits further details on the severity of his back issue.
Arteta admission
Saliba wasn't the only Arsenal defender to get injured against Sporting. In fact, right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu also sustained a problem and the Japanese international's injury certainly appears more serious if manager Mikel Arteta is to be believed.
"We don’t know [how bad Tomiyasu's injury is]", Arteta said after Sunday's victory over Crystal Palace. "The doctor is assessing. We have one assessment and I think they need to have another assessment tomorrow.
"It’s not looking good. Tomi is not one to exaggerate things. He was really concerned straight away and we are concerned."
Asked if there is a bit more hope around Saliba, Arteta replied by saying: "We hope Willy is going to be better news. Again we have to wait to tomorrow (Monday) to get a better picture."
Weeks claim
According to French outlet L’Equipe, Saliba could be sidelined for 'several weeks' in what would be a huge blow to Arsenal's title pursuit.
The Gunners next play on April 1 when they welcome Leeds United to the Emirates Stadium before travelling to Anfield a week later to take on Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool on April 9.
Palace miss
Rob Holding took the young defender's place in Mikel Arteta's starting XI as the north Londoners secured a 4-1 win over the Eagles thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Granit Xhaka and a Bukayo Saka brace.