Arsenal set to learn William Saliba injury extent as Mikel Arteta admits he is ‘very worried’ over star

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Arsenal could be handed another injury blow as William Saliba was the latest to join the proverbial treatment table before the Premier League draw with Aston Villa.

The defender has been ever-present in the side as part of the backline, but his latest concern has worried a few at the club.

It came as a slight shock when William Saliba was injured for the Aston Villa clash, as he was one of a few big names absent from the team sheet.

As a result, Mikel Arteta named a slightly make-shift backline as he shuffled Jurrien Timber into centre-back, with Thomas Partey at right-back.

It resulted in Arsenal only coming away with a point, putting their Premier League title hopes in doubt once again – with Saliba’s fitness now another concern to add to the stack of absences.

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Arsenal prepare scans for William Saliba injury

Saliba missed the clash with Aston Villa with a hamstring injury, with Arsenal describing it as a “minor” issue on social media.

The extent to that problem, however, is currently unknown and is a question that can only be answered by a set of scans.

Arsenal are preparing to conduct those scans on Sunday, January 19, which should reveal how severe the issue is.

Mikel Arteta admitted after the game: “No, not yet,” when asked if he knew the extent to Saliba’s injury, before continuing “I think tomorrow [Sunday] we will have more information, we will have another test on him and we will be more clear about that.”

An injury crisis to this extent is something Arsenal simply haven’t had to deal with in previous seasons, which has clearly caused some damage.

When asked if he was concerned by Saliba’s injury, Arteta added: “Yeah, for sure, especially with the numbers that we have in the squad and looking at our bench – very worried.”

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Arsenal must not rush William Saliba back from injury

If Saliba is capable of returning relatively soon, then one mistake Arteta must avoid is bringing the defender back too quickly.

Two Champions League clashes on either side of a Premier League fixture represent a busy period, but one that the side should be able to cope with.

Ties against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona should be wrapped up with victories, while a clash with Wolves offers a potential chance to rotate where possible.

Given defensive options of Jakub Kiwior, Jurrien Timber and potentially Riccardo Calafiori once he is back from injury, there are others who can be called upon.

Having Saliba back for the clash against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium is the key fixture to target, given its importance.

Rushing him back, just to get potentially injured again, could be the worst course of action for Arsenal.