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Arsenal star William Saliba is injured again.
The France international is one of the best defenders in the world and among the first names on Mikel Arteta’s team sheet every single week.
However, Saliba has missed nine games for club and country already this season due to injuries and illness, and he has a new ankle problem now.
Imagine this: You can sign one of Gabriel Magalhaes or William Saliba to a lifetime Arsenal contract… Who are you picking?
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images Mikel Arteta says William Saliba has suffered another ankle injury
William Saliba’s ankle has been an issue for several months.
The former Saint-Etienne man suffered an injury during warm-up against Liverpool at Anfield at the start of the season, and he has had problems since.
Saliba claimed in January that the ankle issue was still troubling him, but he carried on playing more often than not and looked brilliant.
However, Arteta has now confirmed another ankle issue for Saliba, this time on the other leg. He is now a big doubt for the game against Mansfield Town on Saturday.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
When asked if it was the same ankle as before, Arteta said in his press conference, as per Football London: “No, it’s the other one.
“We thought the same after the (Chelsea) game. He wasn’t comfortable to finish the game, and after that, he didn’t have a good feeling. So let’s see if he recovers quickly.”
Quizzed about his availability for the FA Cup clash against Mansfield, Arteta replied: “I doubt it.”
Arsenal fans…how many goals can the Gunners put past Mansfield in the FA Cup?
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images Mikel Arteta should give William Saliba a long rest at Arsenal
Arsenal are in the business end of the season, and every game will be treated as a cup final as the Gunners aim to win all four trophies.
Saliba is obviously a key part of the squad, but Arteta can afford to rest him for a few games.
The North Londoners face League One side Mansfield Town on Saturday, and then have a Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen midweek. Arsenal then take on Everton before the return leg against the Bundesliga side.
We think Arsenal are good enough to win all four of those games without Saliba, so there is no point risking him in any of those fixtures.
What awaits the Gunners after the above games is the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City. Arsenal will definitely need Saliba for that game, and if he is fully fresh, we think he will be able to handle Erling Haaland comfortably.
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