Arsenal are hopeful of having William Saliba back fit for their trip to Chelsea after the international break amid Mikel Arteta getting an update on the injury to Bukayo Saka.
That is according to football.london, which claims that Saliba played through an injury to his big toe against Manchester City. But the issue still meant the 22-year-old withdrew from the France squad to face the Netherlands and Scotland. It is also an ongoing long-term problem.
Saliba has been feeling discomfort in his big toe for some time but had sought to play on for Arsenal. The Gunners also do not believe the centre-back has a serious injury and are happy to manage the issue. But the pain was enough for Saliba to withdraw from the France team.
Arsenal hope Saliba shakes his long-term injury to face Chelsea
Given that Arsenal do not believe Saliba has a major injury, hope remains that he will play at Chelsea. The Gunners come out of the international break at Stamford Bridge on October 21 eying a fourth-straight win in west London. Arsenal edged their recent trips 0-1, 2-4 and 0-1.
Chelsea last beat Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in August 2018 but also won the 2019 Europa League final in Azerbaijan. The Blues have also won at Emirates Stadium in December 2019 and August 2021. While the London rivals drew 2-2 in west London in January 2020, as well.
Saliba started Arsenal’s win at Chelsea last season as centre-half partner Gabriel Magalhaes scored the only goal. But a back injury kept Saliba from the Gunners’ 3-1 win at the Emirates as Jakub Kiwior joined Gabriel. Arsenal scored all three of their goals in the first 34 minutes.
England confirmed Saka remains unfit with his hamstring injury
Arsenal and Arteta will also be hoping that Saka is able to join Saliba in overcoming an injury to face Chelsea. Like the Frenchman, the 22-year-old has also withdrawn from international duty with England. Saka is recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in the loss at RC Lens.
The injury forced Saka to miss Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Premier League title rivals Manchester City last Sunday. Yet England still requested the winger reported for duty on Monday and to put him through their own fitness tests. But the checks confirmed that Saka is not fit to play.
Arsenal just about coped without Saka against Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s side gave little attacking threat. But the Gunners required a hugely deflected strike to score from half-time substitute Gabriel Martinelli, who lit the game up on his return from a hamstring injury.
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