Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a cryptic update on the fitness of key defender William Saliba, refusing to confirm the nature or severity of the issue that forced the Frenchman off during the Europa League defeat to Sporting CP.
Saliba was substituted at halftime during the round of 16 second leg on March 16, 2023, a match Arsenal ultimately lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw (3-3 on aggregate). When pressed for details after the match, Arteta remained evasive.
“We hope he’s okay. At the moment it’s not possible to say,” Arteta stated. “We have to wait until tomorrow. He felt something and could not continue, so we had to take him off.”
The lack of a clear diagnosis will concern Arsenal fans, as Saliba has been a pillar of their Premier League title challenge this season. His potential absence comes at a critical juncture, with the Gunners leading the table by five points ahead of a crucial match against Crystal Palace on March 19, 2023.
This is not the first time Saliba’s physical condition has been a topic of uncertainty. Earlier in the season, the club offered conflicting reports on a back injury, with Arteta initially describing it as a “knock” before the player missed several games.
With the Premier League run-in intensifying and a potential title at stake, Arsenal will be desperate for clarity on Saliba’s condition in the coming days.
