Mikel Arteta Provides William Saliba Injury Update Ahead of Man City Clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shared a positive update on William Saliba’s recovery, expressing optimism that the French defender will be available for the crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City next week. However, Saliba is not expected to feature in this weekend’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Saliba’s Injury Status

William Saliba has been sidelined with a hamstring injury that saw him miss the dramatic 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, where Arsenal squandered a 2-0 lead. Arteta, who initially downplayed the issue, later admitted concerns about the defender’s condition.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s dominant 3-0 Champions League victory over Dinamo Zagreb, Arteta provided clarity on Saliba’s progress. The manager noted that both Saliba and Bukayo Saka are making strides in their recovery, though neither is ready for the Wolves fixture.

“With Willy, it’s the same situation. I think he’ll definitely be ready for next week [against Manchester City], but for this week, we’ll see how things go,” Arteta explained during Friday’s press conference.

Updates on Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White

Arteta also addressed the fitness of young left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, who underwent a precautionary scan earlier in the week. Thankfully, the scan revealed no significant damage.

“Nothing serious showed up on the scan for Myles,” Arteta confirmed. “It’s just a matter of meeting with the medical staff and deciding whether it’s too early for him to return.”

Meanwhile, long-term absentee Ben White is making steady progress after undergoing knee surgery. While White remains out for now, Arteta hinted at an imminent return, potentially in time for the second leg of the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United.

“He hasn’t trained with the team yet but he’s very close. He just needs to tick a few boxes, and he’ll be back with us soon,” Arteta said.

Arsenal’s Defensive Challenges

Arsenal has faced a challenging season with key injuries affecting their defensive line. As they prepare for critical matches against Manchester City and Newcastle United, the potential returns of Saliba and White come at a crucial time.

Arsenal fans will be eagerly watching to see how these developments impact the team’s performances in the coming weeks.

Share Your Thoughts!

Do you think Arsenal can overcome their injury challenges to secure crucial wins against Manchester City and Newcastle? How important is Saliba’s return to the team’s defensive stability? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!