Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted he is “very worried” about the hamstring injury Injury Central defender William Saliba suffered.
Saliba missed Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa due to what Arteta initially described as a “minor” problem, but the coach admitted after the final whistle that he did not really know the extent of the defender’s condition.
“I think tomorrow we will have more information, we will do another test with him and we will be clearer about it,” admitted Arteta.
Asked if he was worried about Saliba sitting on the treatment table alongside players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, Arteta added: “Yes, definitely, especially given the numbers we have in the squad and given our bank – I am very concerned.” “
Defense is a special area for Arteta, who was also without Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu for Villa’s visit. Thomas Partey, a midfielder by trade, had to fall back to right-back to make up the numbers.
While there are few problems in midfield, Arsenal are also struggling in attack. Saka and Jesus are long-term absentees while Ethan Nwaneri is currently unavailable, leaving Arteta to admit that a new striker should be brought in before the end of the January transfer window.