Arsenal centre-back William Saliba is in danger of missing the upcoming home match against Manchester City at the beginning of next month due to a hamstring injury, according to reports.
Saliba, a key figure in Arsenal’s defence, was sidelined for Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa after picking up a muscular issue, which Mikel Arteta described cautiously as “something muscular.” Without their French defender, Arsenal conceded two goals from crosses aimed at the area Saliba usually covers, surrendering a 2-0 lead and further slipping in the Premier League title race.
Having started 57 of Arsenal’s previous 58 Premier League matches, with his only absence in October being due to suspension, Saliba’s absence could extend for another two weeks, according to French outlet L’Equipe.
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If the timeline from L’Equipe holds true, Saliba will miss Arsenal’s next three fixtures: their final Champions League group stage matches against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona, as well as a Premier League clash with struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Arsenal will begin February with a home match against Manchester City, a fixture that has had title implications in the last two seasons. However, this time, City are focused more on securing a Champions League spot after their mid-season dip in form, although they have begun to show signs of a resurgence in recent weeks.
Just three days after the City game, Arsenal will travel to St James’ Park for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United on 5 February. Saliba had a tough outing in the first leg, where the Gunners suffered a 2-0 defeat.
With a ten-day break between fixtures following Arsenal’s exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Manchester United, Saliba should be ready to return by the end of this brief hiatus, if not sooner.