Written by Arsenal has this season been the most hard hit Premier League team with injury concerns. The team has however been pushing Liverpool so hard in the Premier League title race despite the challenges. Mikel Arteta’s squad depth has been exposed and it is now evident that Arsenal do not have good like for like players in case of injury.
William Saliba who has been a solid rock in the backline is the latest Arsenal player to be sidelined by an injury. Mikel Arteta said that, he got a knock and they are still assessing him to see how long he may need to recover.
William Saliba’s injury exposed how Arsenal does not have a reliable squad depth. Mikel Arteta was forced to drift Jurrien Timber in the centre back position and Thomas Partey at the right back position.
This really injured Arsenal greatly and it greatly contributed to losing a 2-0 lead and eventually drawing 2-2 with Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. If he continues to be sidelined, then Arsenal will continue to suffer.
William Saliba is a great player and his partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes has been one of the best. They know how to complement each other and they also know how to defend very well and that is why Arsenal has only been scored very few goals.
The Champions League action is also back and it is still not very clear how Mikel Arteta will manage without him in the team. The other players who can also take his position and still balance the team like Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori are also all out with injuries.
It is now upon the available Arsenal players to up their game and prove that they are versatile players who can fill in the gap for others just in case of any injury concern.