Mikel Arteta says William Saliba has been ruled out of Arsenal’s Premier League fixture against Aston Villa due to a muscular injury.
Saliba, 23, was missing from the matchday squad for Saturday’s game at home to Villa, with Jurrien Timber partnering Gabriel at centre-back in his absence and Thomas Partey filling in at right-back.
Arteta played down the severity of the injury but said the defender would need to be assessed further to determine the extent of the issue.
“He felt something before the match, something muscular,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “I don’t think it’s too much, but he could not train yesterday. He wasn’t feeling good enough to play so we have to assess the situation.”
He continued: “No, no, hopefully not (too serious), he wasn’t feeling good after the game (against Tottenham on Wednesday). We have to do further tests. to understand what he’s got.”
Saliba had featured in 20 of Arsenal’s 21 Premier League fixtures before Saturday, only missing October’s draw with Liverpool through suspension following his red card against Bournemouth.
Arsenal are already without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu through injury.
Ismeal Kabia, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Maldini Kacurri, who are all yet to make a Premier League appearance for Arsenal, were named on the bench for Saturday’s fixture.
Following the visit of Villa, Arsenal are next in action against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday.
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