Arsenal suffered a major blow in the opening minutes of their Premier League clash with title rivals Liverpool on August 31.
Centre-back William Saliba went off after only five minutes due to an apparent injury sustained in the early exchanges. Cristhian Mosquera came off the bench to replace the France international.
The Gunners were already without Bukayo Saka heading into the game at Anfield, while captain Martin Odegaard was only fit enough to be a substitute, so the loss of his most important defender would have caused great concern to manager Mikel Arteta.
The Sporting News looks at the latest news on Saliba’s condition.
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Saliba appeared to land awkwardly after winning an early header against Hugo Ekitike and went down.
The Arsenal bench took action swiftly, with Mosquera quickly readied to come on.
Saliba made no sustained attempt to continue, with the player and his manager immediately convinced a change was necessary.
William Saliba latest injury news, updates
There has not yet been an update on Saliba’s condition, although he was at least able to walk off the field.
The promptness of Arsenal’s action suggests Saliba could have suffered a significant setback. In a game of such magnitude it would be normal for a key defender to try to continue through a minor injury.
Arteta will no doubt be asked for an update on the 24-year-old’s prognosis at his post-match news conference.
Arsenal were already without influential duo Saka and Odegaard from kickoff against Liverpool, although the club captain did make the bench.
Saka is expected to spend a month on the sidelines, but his deputy Noni Madueke started impressively on Merseyside.
In terms of injury cover, Arteta certainly isn’t short of alternatives to Saliba. His starting team at Liverpool featured four natural centre-backs. Nevertheless, being without the influential France international for a concerted length of time would feel like a notable blow.
