Arsenal have coped effectively with accidents to key gamers this season, however William Saliba’s absence is threatening to derail their title bid.The centre-back has not performed since injuring his again in opposition to Sporting on March 16, when the Gunners crashed out of the Europa League. Arsenal are working with Saliba every day as they attempt to get him match, and supervisor Mikel Arteta mentioned final week he’s “progressing effectively”.The Frenchman, nonetheless, is a doubt for Friday’s recreation at house to Southampton and Arsenal’s essential journey to the Etihad every week on Wednesday.With out Saliba, the Gunners’ strong defence has proven cracks. In 4 matches, they’ve stored no clear sheets and conceded six objectives. Previous to that, they’d stored 12 clear sheets within the Premier League and had been on common conceding lower than a aim a recreation.Health battle: William Saliba is in a race to return for Arsenal in Manchester Metropolis showdown / Arsenal FC by way of Getty ImagesArsenal have had spells this season with out key gamers Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey, nonetheless Saliba’s absence is proving the costliest.He had began each Premier League recreation this season till his damage, forming a robust partnership with Brazilian centre-half Gabriel. Off the pitch the pair hit it off, typically joking round in French and Portuguese, whereas on it their two kinds swimsuit one another.Gabriel is an aggressive defender and Saliba’s presence permits him to be on the entrance foot. Gabriel is commonly charged with going to win the primary ball, whereas Saliba makes use of his tempo to brush up behind him.The partnership has allowed Arsenal to play the next line of defense this season, which has resulted in them profitable the ball within the opponent’s half extra typically.Arsenal have had spells this season with out key gamers, however Saliba’s absence is proving probably the most costlyWithout Saliba, the Gunners have fairly actually dropped and Opta statistics present how their line of defense in opposition to West Ham on Sunday was practically three metres deeper in comparison with their season common. Rob Holding is a strong centre-back, however he lacks the tempo of Saliba.The difficulty has been compounded by Takehiro Tomiyasu being out for the remainder of the season. The appropriate-back injured his knee on the identical evening Saliba picked up his again drawback.There have been many defining moments on this title race, however that defeat by Sporting is actually one of many largest. It has starved Arteta of the choice of enjoying Ben White within the coronary heart of defence, the place he was used final season, and beginning Tomiyasu at right-back.READ MOREThe absence of Saliba was felt strongly in opposition to West Ham and that’s partly as a result of Zinchenko being out, too. A lot is fabricated from the Ukrainian being key to Arsenal’s build-up play, however Saliba is significant as effectively. He and Gabriel have performed extra passes than any Arsenal participant this season.Arsenal have expertise of dealing with Manchester Metropolis with out Saliba, as he was an alternative to their fourth-round FA Cup tie in January. Arteta began Gabriel and Holding, however by half-time the latter had been booked and subbed for Saliba after a torrid time in opposition to Erling Haaland. Arsenal will worry historical past repeating itself subsequent week.
Saliba absence is derailing title bid as Arsenal worry Haaland repeat
![Saliba absence is derailing title bid as Arsenal worry Haaland repeat 6 Saliba absence is derailing title bid as Arsenal fear Haaland repeat](https://i0.wp.com/fifanews.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Saliba-absence-is-derailing-title-bid-as-Arsenal-fear-Haaland.jpg?resize=860%2C573&ssl=1)