Arsenal injury news: William Saliba has been sidelined with a lower back problem for the best part of three weeks and the Frenchman remains a major doubt for this weekend's clash against Liverpool
Arsenal starlet William Saliba has quickly established himself as one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League this season.
Since then, Rob Holding has replaced the Frenchman in the starting line-up and it still remains to be seen how much longer manager Mikel Arteta will be relying on the former Bolton centre-half. Now, football.london has rounded up all the information we have on Saliba's injury ahead of the Gunners' match against Liverpool, with Arteta keen to secure his first league win at Anfield as a manager.
Liverpool claim
According to Daniel Cutts of The Sun, Saliba will miss this weekend's trip to Anfield. Writing on Twitter, Cutts said: "William Saliba is set to miss Arsenal's clash at Liverpool on Sunday as he struggles with a back injury.
"He's not been able to train properly for the last few weeks. Hopes he'll be back soon though."
However, football.london understands that the French international was seen walking comfortably through the mixed zone after the match against Leeds on Saturday, similar to what he did after both the Sporting CP and Crystal Palace outings.
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.
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